BANCROFT    LIBRARY 


kqd  f'ktriotf  of 

By  JOHN    S.    C.    ABBOTT. 


Each  one  Volume,   I2mo.,  illustrated,    $1.50. 


DANIEL  BO  ONE, 

MILES  STANDISH, 

FERDINAND  DE  SO  TO, 

PETER  STUYVESANT. 

KIT  CARSON. 

Other  Volumes  in  preparation. 


KIT    CARSON, 

THE  PIONEER  OF  THE  WEST. 


BY 

JOHN  S.  C.  ABBOTT. 

ILLUSTRATED. 

NEW  YORK: 
DODD  &  MEAD,  No.    762  BROADWAY. 


AMERICAN  PIONEERS  AND  PATRIOTS. 


CHRISTOPHER  CARSON 


FAMILIARLY  KNOWN 


AS 


KIT   CARSON. 


„ 


JOHN  S^Cf  ABBOTT,    &&l 


WITH  ILLUSTRATIONS  BY 

ELEANOR  GREATOREX. 


NEW    YORK: 

DODD  &  MEAD,  No.  762  BROADWAY. 
1874. 


•  037- 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1873,  by 

DODD  &  MEAD, 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


LAXC.B,  LITTLB  A  Co., 


NEWBITROH  STEREOTYPE  Co. 

108  TO  114  WOO«T«»  8r»**T,  N.  Y. 


,      U,  C. 

OADEMY    OF 
tQIPIC  COAST 
HISTORY 


PREFACE. 


IT  is  a  prominent  object  of  this  volume  to  bring  to 
light  the  wild  adventures  of  the  pioneers  of  this  conti 
nent,  in  the  solitudes  of  the  mountains,  the  prairies  and 
the  forests;  often  amidst  hostile  Indians,  and  far  away 
from  the  restraints  and  protection  of  civilization.  This 
strange,  weird-like  life  is  rapidly  passing  away,  before  the 
progress  of  population,  railroads  and  steamboats.  But  it 
is  desirable  that  the  memory  of  it  should  not  drift  into  ob 
livion.  I  think  that  almost  every  reader  of  this  narrative 
will  be  somewhat  surprised,  in  its  development  of  the 
character  of  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON.  With  energy  and 
fearlessness  never  surpassed,  he  was  certainly  one  of  the 
most  gentle,  upright,  and  lovable  of  men.  It  is  strange 
that  the  wilderness  could  have  formed  so  estimable  a 
character.  America  will  not  permit  the  virtues  of  so  illus 
trious  a  son  to  be  forgotten. 

JOHN  S.  C.  ABBOTT. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 
Early  Training. 

PACK 

Birth  of  Christopher  Carson. — Perils  of  the  Wilderness. — Neces 
sary  Cautions. — Romance  of  the  Forest. — The  Far  West. — 
The  Encampment. — The  Cabin  and  the  Fort. — Kit  an  Ap 
prentice. — The  Alarm. — Destruction  of  a  Trading  Band. — 
The  Battle  and  the  Flight. — Sufferings  of  the  Fugitives. — 
Dreadful  Fate  of  Mr.  Schenck.— Features  of  the  Western 
Wilderness. — The  March 9 

CHAPTER  II. 
Life  in  the  Wilderness. 

A  Surgical  Operation. — A  Winter  with  Kin  Cade. — Study  of  the 
Languages  and  Geography. — Return  towards  Missouri- 
Engagement  with  a  new  Company  and  Strange  Adven 
tures. — The  Rattlesnake. — Anecdote  of  Kit  Carson. — The 
Sahara. — New  Engagements. — Trip  to  El  Paso. — Trapping 
and  Hunting. — Prairie  Scenery. — The  Trapper's  Outfit. — 
Night  Encampment. — Testimony  of  an  Amateur  Hunter.  .  29 

CHAPTER  III. 
Among  the  Trappers. 

The  Discomfited  Trappers.— The  New  Party  Organized.— A 
Battle  with  the  Indians. — Trapping  on  the  Colorado. — 
March  to  the  Sacramento. — The  Friendly  Indians. — Cross 
ing  the  Desert. — Instinct  of  the  Mule. — The  Enchanting 


VI  CONTENTS. 

PACK 

Valley  of  the  Colorado.— The  Mission  of  San  Gabriel.— Vast 
Herds  of  Cattle. — The  Mission  of  San  Fernando. — Adven 
tures  in  the  Valley  of  San  Joaquin. — The  Meeting  of  two 
Trapping  Bands. — Reasons  for  Kit  Carson's  Celebrity. — A 
Military  Expedition. — The  Indian  Horse  Thieves. — The 
Pursuit  and  Capture 51 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Conflicts  with  the  Indians. 

The  American  Trapper. — The  Trapper  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company. — The  Return  Trip. — Polished  Life  in  the  Wil 
derness. — The  Spanish  Gentlemen. — Council  of  the  Trap 
pers. — Self-possession  of  Kit  Carson. — The  Camp  Cleared 
of  Intruders. — Robbing  the  Robbers. — Sale  of  the  Furs. — 
Mr.  Fitzpatrick's  Expedition. — Pains  and  Pleasures  of 
Rocky  Mountain  Life. — Pursuit  of  Indian  Horse  Thieves. — 
Extraordinary  Battle 72 

CHAPTER  V 

Marches  and  Encampments. 

The  Encampment  Among  the  Rocky  Mountains. — The  At 
tempted  Stampede. — Retreat  and  Pursuit  by  the  Savages. — 
The  Alarm. — Loss  of  the  Horses. — Their  Recovery. — En 
terprise  of  Kit  Carson. — Fight  with  the  Indians. — The  Litter 
for  the  Wounded. — Union  of  the  two  Trapping  Parties. — 
Successful  Return  to  Tos.  —  Carson  joins  a  Trading 
Party. — Chivalric  Adventures. — Attacked  by  Bears.  .  .  94 

CHAPTER  VI. 
The  Rendezvous. 

Fair  in  the  Wilderness. — The  Encampment. — Dispersion  of  the 
Trappers. — Hostility  of  the  Blackfeet. — Camp  on  the  Big 
Snake  River. — The  Blackfeet  Marauders. — The  Pursuit. — 
The  Calumet. — The  Battle. — Kit  Carson  wounded. — The 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

PACK 

Rencontre  with  Shunan. — The  Defeat  and  Humiliation  of 
Shunan. — Remarkable  Modesty  of  Carson. — Testimony  to 
Mr.  Carson's  Virtues 121 

CHAPTER  VII. 
War  with  the  Blackfeet  Indians. 

Unsuccessful  Trapping. — Disastrous  March  to  Fort  Hall. — The 
Feast  upon  Horse-flesh. — The  Hunting  Expedition.-1— Its 
Rare  Attractions. — Dogged  by  the  Blackfeet. — Safe  Arrival 
at  the  Fort. — All  their  Animals  Stolen  by  the  Indians. — 
Expedition  to  the  Blackfeet  Country. — Winter  Quarters 
with  the  Friendly  Indians. — Sufferings  of  the  Animals. — 
Return  to  the  Blackfeet  Country. — Battle  with  the  Indians. 
— Incidents  of  the  Battle 141 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Encampments  and  Battles. 

The  Renewal  of  the  Battle. — Peculiarities  of  the  Fight. — The 
Rout. — Encampment  in  the  Indian  Village. — Number  of 
Trappers  among  the  Mountains. — The  New  Rendezvous. — 
Picturesque  Scene  of  the  Encampment. — The  Missionary 
and  the  Nobleman. — Brown's  Hole. — The  Navajoes. — Kit 
Carson  Purveyor  at  the  Fort. — Trapping  at  the  Black  Hills. 
— Again  upon  the  Yellowstone. — Pleasant  Winter  Quarters. 
— Signs  of  the  Indians. — Severe  Conflict. — Reappearance  of 
the  Indians. — Their  utter  Discomfiture.  .  ...  .  160 

CHAPTER  IX. 
The  Trapper  3  Elysium. 

Trapping  on  the  Missouri. — Attacked  by  the  Blackfeet. — The 
Battle. — Persevering  Hostility  of  the  Indians. — The  Trap 
pers  driven  from  the  Country. — Repair  to  the  North  Fork. — 
Cheerful  Encampments. — Enchanting  Scene. — Village  of 
the  Flatheads. — The  Blessings  of  Peace. — Carson's  Knowl 
edge  of  Languages. — Pleasant  Winter  Quarters  on  the  Big 


Vlil  CONTENTS. 

PAGH 

Snake  River. — Successful  Trapping. — Winter  at  Brown's 
Hole. — Trip  to  Fort  Bent. — Peculiar  Characters. — Williams 
and  Mitchel. — Hunter  at  Fort  Bent. — Marriage. — Visit  to 
the  States i/Q 

'CHAPTER  X. 
Fremont's  Expedition. 

Carson's  Visit  to  his  Childhood's  Home. — On  the  Steamer.— In 
troduction  to  Fremont. — Object  of  Fremont's  Expedition. — 
Joins  the  Expedition. — Organization  of  the  Party.i — The 
Encampment. — Enchanting  View. — Fording  the  Kansas. — 
The  Stormy  Night.— The  Boys  on  Guard.— The  Alarm.— 
The  Returning  Trappers. — The  Homeless  Adventurer. — 
Three  Indians  join  the  Party. — First  sight  of  the  Buffaloes. 
—The  Chase 197 

CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Return  of  the  Expedition. 

Beautiful  Prairie  Scene. — Fate  of  the  Buffalo  Calf. — Vast  Buffalo 
Herds. — The  Fourth  of  July  on  the  Plains. — Journey  up 
the  South  Fork  of  the  Platte.— Visit  to  Fort  St.  Vrain.— 
Remonstrance  of  the  Chiefs. — Second  Marriage  of  Mr.  Car 
son. — New  Engagements. — Perilous  Ride  to  Santa  Fe. — 
The  Successful  Mission. — The  Noble  Mexican  Boy. — Con 
flict  with  the  Savages. — Discomfiture  of  the  Indians. — Fre 
mont's  Second  Expedition. — Carson  joins  the  Party. — 
Course  of  the  Expedition. — Arrival  at  the  Great  Salt  Lake.  .  217 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Marches  and  Battles. 

Entering  the  Lake. — Dangerous  Navigation. — The  Return  to 
Camp. — Feast  upon  Horse  Flesh. — Meeting  the  Indians. — 
Joyful  Meeting. — Return  to  Fort  Hall. — Feasting  at  the 
Fort. — The  Party  Diminished. — The  Journey  down  Snake 


CONTENTS.  IX 

PACK 

River. — Crossing  the  Sierra  Nevada. — Caison  Rescues  Fre 
mont. — Fort  Sutter. — Heroic  Achievement  of  Carson. — Dis 
banding  the  Party. — The  third  Expedition. — Crossing  the 
Desert. — Threatened  by  the  Mexicans. — Fight  with  the 
Indians. — The  Surprise. — Chastisement  of  the  Indians.  .  .236 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
The  Dispatch  Bearer. 

Colonel  Fremont. — Hazardous  Undertaking  of  Kit  Carson. — 
Carson's  Courage  and  Prudence. — Threatened  Danger. — 
Interview  with  General  Kearney,  and  Results. — Severe 
Skirmish. — Wonderful  Escape  of  Carson. — Daring  Adven 
ture.  —  Fearful  Suffering.  —  Lieutenant  Beale.  —  Carson's 
Journey  to  Washington. — Adventures  on  his  Return.  .  .  255 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
The  Chivalry  of  the  Wilderness. 

Injustice  of  the  Government. — Heroic  Resolve  of  Mr.  Carson. — 
Indian  Outrages. — The  valley  of  Razado. — Barbaric  Mur 
ders  by  Apaches. — An  Exciting  Chase. — An  Attractive  Pic 
ture. — Plot  of  Fox  Overthrown. — Gift  of  Messrs.  Brevoort 
and  Weatherhead. — Adventure  with  the  Cheyennes.  .  .  272 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Recollections  of  Mountain  Life. 

Character  of  the  Native  Indian. — The  Caravan. — Interesting 
Incident. — Effects  of  Cholera. — Commission  of  Joe  Smith. — 
Snow  on  the  Mountains. — Government  Appointment. — 
Adventure  with  three  Bears. — Journey  to  Los  Angelos. — Mt. 
St.  Bernardino.  —  The  Spring.  —  Character  of  Men. — In 
subordination  Quelled. — Suffering  for  Water  and  Relief. — 
A  Talk  with  Indians.  286 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Recollections  of  Mountain  Life. 

PACK 

Position  of  The  Spring. — The  Cache. — Kit  Carson's  Character 
and  Appearance. — Cool  Bravery  of  a  Mountain  Trapper. — 
Untamed  Character  of  Many  Hunters.  —  The  Surveyor's 
Camp  in  an  Indian  Territory. — Terrors  from  Indians. — Joe 
Walker. — A  Mountain  Man. — Soda  Lake. — Optical  Illu 
sion. — Camp  on  Beaver  Lake. — The  Piyute  Chief.—  Conver 
sation  with  Him. — An  Alarm. — A  Battle 306 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
Frontier  Desperadoes  and  Savage  Ferocity. 

Original  Friendliness  of  the  Indians. — The  River  Pirates,  Cul- 
bert  and  Magilbray. — Capture  of  Beausoliel. — His  Rescue 
by  the  Negro  Cacasotte.— The  Cave  in  the  Rock.— The 
Robber  Mason. — His  Assassination. — Fate  of  the  Assassins. 
— Hostility  of  the  Apaches. — Expedition  of  Lieutenant 
Davidson. — Carson's  Testimony  in  his  Favor. — Flight  of 
the  Apaches. 322 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
The  Last  Days,  of  Kit  Carson. 

The  Hunting  Party. — Profits  of  Sheep  Raising. — Governmental 
Appointment.  —  Carson's  Talk  with  the  Apaches.  —  His 
Home  in  Taos.  —  His  Character.  —  Death  of  Christopher 
Carson. 337 

CHAPTER     XIX. 
TJie  Last  Hours  of  Kit  Carson. 


CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Early  Training. 

Birth  of  Christopher  Carson. — Perils  of  the  Wilderness. — Necessary 
Cautions. — Romance  of  the  Forest. — The  Far  West. —  The 
Encampment. — The  Cabin  and  the  Fort. — Kit  an  Apprentice. — 
The  Alarm. — Destruction  of  a  Trading  Band. — The  Battle  and 
the  Flight. — Sufferings  of  the  Fugitives. — Dreadful  Fate  of  Mr. 
Schenck. — Features  of  the  Western  Wilderness. — The  March. 

CHRISTOPHER  CARSON,  whose  renown  as  Kit 
Carson  has  reached  almost  every  ear  in  the  country, 
was  born  in  Madison  county,  Kentucky,  on  the  24th 
of  December,  1809.  Large  portions  of  Kentucky 
then  consisted  of  an  almost  pathless  wilderness,  with 
magnificent  forests,  free  from  underbrush,  alive  with 
game,  and  with  luxuriant  meadows  along  the  river 
banks,  inviting  the  settler's  cabin  and  the  plough. 

There  were   then  many  Indians  traversing  those 
wilds.     The  fearless  emigrants,  who  ventured  to  rear 


IO  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

their  huts  in  such  solitudes,  found  it  necessary  ever 
to  be  prepared  for  an  attack. 

But  very  little  reliance  could  be  placed  even  in 
the  friendly  protestations  of  the  vagabond  savages, 
ever  prowling  about,  and  almost  as  devoid  of  intelli 
gence  or  conscience,  as  the  wolves  which  at  midnight 
weje  heard  howling  around  the  settler's  door.  The 
family  of  Mr.  Carson  occupied  a  log  cabin,  which 
was  bullet-proof,  with  portholes  through  which  their 
rifles  could  command  every  appro  ich.  Women  and 
children  were  alike  taught  the  use  of  the  rifle,  that 
in  case  of  an  attack  by  any  blood-thirsty  gang,  the 
whole  family  might  resolve  itself  into  a  military 
garrison.  Not  a  tree  or  stump  was  left,  within  mus 
ket  shot  of  the  house,  behind  which  an  Indian  could 
secrete  himself. 

Almost  of  necessity,  under  these  circumstances, 
any  bright,  active  boy  would  become  a  skilful  marks 
man.  A  small  garden  was  cultivated  where  corn, 
beans  and  a  few  other  vegetables  were  raised,  but 
the  main  subsistence  of  the  family  consisted  of  the 
game  with  which  forest,  meadow  and  lake  were 
stored.  The  settler  usually  reared  his  cabin  upon 
the  banks  of  some  stream  alive  with  fishes.  There 
were  no  schools  to  take  up  the  time  of  the  boys ;  no 
books  to  read.  Wild  geese,  ducks  and  other  water 
fowl,  sported  upon  the  bosom  of  the  river  or  the 


EARLY   TRAINING.  II 

lake,  whose  waters  no  paddle  wheel  or  even  keel 
disturbed.  Wild  turkeys,  quails,  and  pigeons  at 
times,  swept  the  air  like  clouds.  And  then  there 
was  the  intense  excitement  of  occasionally  bringing 
down  a  deer,  and  even  of  shooting  a  ferocious  grizzly 
bear  or  wolf  or  catamount.  The  romance  of  the  sea 
creates  a  Robinson  Crusoe.  The  still  greater  ro 
mance  of  the  forest  creates  a  Kit  Carson.  It  often 
makes  even  an  old  man's  blood  thrill  in  his  veins,  to 
contemplate  the  wild  and  wondrous  adventures,  which 
this  majestic  continent  opened  to  the  pioneers  of 
half  a  century  ago. 

Gradually,  in  Kentucky,  the  Indians  disappeared, 
either  dying  off,  or  pursuing  their  game  in  the  un 
explored  realms  nearer  the  setting  sun.  Emigrants, 
from  the  East,  in  large  numbers  entered  the  State. 
Game,  both  in  forest  and  meadow,  became  scarce ; 
and  the  father  of  Kit  Carson,  finding  settlers  crowd 
ing  him,  actually  rearing  their  huts  within  two  or 
three  miles  of  his  cabin,  abandoned  his  home  to  find 
more  room  in  the  still  more  distant  West. 

Christopher  was  then  the  youngest  child,  a  babe 
but  one  year  old.  The  wilderness,  west  of  them,  was 
almost  unexplored.  But  Mr.  Carson,  at  his  blazing 
fireside,  had  heard  from  the  Indians,  and  occasionally 
from  some  adventurous  white  hunter,  glowing  ac 
counts  of  the  magnificent  prairies,  rivers,  lakes  and 


12  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

forests  of  the  far  West,  reposing  in  the  solitude  and 
the  silence  which  had  reigned  there  since  the  dawn 
of  the  creation. 

There  were  no  roads  through  the  wilderness. 
The  guide  of  the  emigrants  was  the  setting  sun. 
Occasionally  they  could  take  advantage  of  some 
Indian  trail,  trodden  hard  by  the  moccasined  feet  of 
the  savages,  in  single  file,  through  countless  genera 
tions.  Through  such  a  country,  the  father  of  Kit 
Carson  commenced  a  journey  of  several  hundred 
miles,  with  his  wife  and  three  or  four  children,  Kit 
being  an  infant  in  arms.  Unfortunately  we  are  not 
informed  of  any  of  the  particulars  of  this  journey. 
But  we  know,  from  numerous  other  cases,  what  was 
its  general  character. 

It  must  have  occupied  two  or  three  weeks.  All 
the  family  went  on  foot,  making  about  fifteen  miles 
a  day.  They  probably  had  two  pack  horses,  laden 
with  pots  and  kettles,  and  a  few  other  essential 
household  and  farming  utensils.  Early  in  the  after 
noon  Mr.  Carson  would  begin  to  look  about  for  a 
suitable  place  of  encampment  for  the  night.  He 
would  find,  if  possible,  the  picturesque  banks  of 
some  running  stream,  where  there  was  grass  for  his 
horses,  and  a  forest  growth  to  furnish  him  with  wood 
for  his  cabin  and  for  fire.  If  the  weather  were  pleas 
ant,  with  the  prospect  of  a  serene  and  cloudless 


EARLY   TRAINING.  13 

night,  a  very  slight  protection  would  be  reared,  and 
the  weary  family,  with  a  buffalo  robe  spread  on  the 
soft  grass  for  a  blanket,  would  sleep  far  more  sweetly 
in  the  open  air,  than  most  millionaires  sleep  in 
tapestried  halls  and  upon  beds  of  down. 

If  clouds  were  gathering  and  menacing  winds 
were  wailing  through  the  tree-tops,  the  vigorous  arm 
of  Mr.  Carson,  with  his  sharp  axe,  would,  in  an  hour, 
rear  a  camp  which  could  bid  defiance  to  any  ordinary 
storm.  The  roof  would  be  so  thatched,  with  bark 
and  long  grass,  as  to  be  quite  impenetrable  by  the 
rain.  Buffalo  robes,  and  a  few  of  the  soft  and  fra 
grant  branches  of  the  hemlock  tree,  would  create  a 
couch  which  a  prince  might  envy.  Perhaps,  as  they 
came  along,  they  had  shot  a  turkey  or  a  brace  of 
ducks,  or  a  deer,  from  whose  fat  haunches  they  have 
cut  the  tenderest  venison.  Any  one  could  step  out 
with  his  rifle  and  soon  return  with  a  supper. 

While  Mr.  Carson,  with  his  eldest  son,  was  build 
ing  the  camp,  the  eldest  girl  would  hold  the  baby, 
and  Mrs.  Carson  would  cook  such  a  repast  of  dainty 
viands,  as,  when  we  consider  the  appetites,  Delmon- 
ico  never  furnished.  It  was  life  in  the  "Adiron- 
dacks/'  with  the  additional  advantage  that  those 
who  were  enjoying  it,  were  inured  to  fatigue,  and 
could  have  no  sense  of  discomfort,  from  the  absence 
of  conveniences  to  which  they  were  accustomed. 


14  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

If  in  the  darkness  of  midnight,  the  tempest  rose 
and  roared  through  the  tree-tops,  with  crushing 
thunder,  and  floods  of  rain,  the  family  was  lulled  to 
sounder  sleep  by  these  requiems  of  nature,  or  awoke 
to  enjoy  the  sublimity  of  the  scene,  whose  grandeur 
those  in  lowly  life  are  often  able  fully  to  appreciate, 
though  they  may  not  have  language  with  which  to 
express  their  emotions. 

The  family  crossed  the  Mississippi  river,  we  know 
not  how,  perhaps  in  the  birch  canoe  of  some  friendly 
Indian,  perhaps  on  a  raft,  swimming  the  horses. 
They  then  continued  their  journey  two  hundred 
miles  farther  west,  till  they  reached  a  spot  far  enough 
from  neighbors  and  from  civilization  to  suit  the  taste 
even  of  Mr.  Carson.  This  was  at  the  close  of  the 
year  1810.  'There  was  no  State  or  even  Territory  of 
Missouri  then.  But  seven  years  before,  in  1803, 
France  had  ceded  to  the  United  States  the  vast  unex 
plored  regions,  whose  boundaries  even,  were  scarcely 
defined,  but  which  were  then  called  Upper  Louisiana. 

Here  Mr.  Carson  seems  to  have  reached  a  very 
congenial  home.  He  found,  scattered  through  the 
wilderness,  a  few  white  people,  trappers,  hunters, 
wanderers  who  had  preceded  him.  The  Indians,  in 
numerous  bands,  as  hunters  and  as  warriors,  were 
roving  these  wilds.  They  could  not  be  relied  upon, 
whatever  their  friendly  professions.  Any  wrong 


EARLY   TRAINING.  1 5 

which  they  might  receive  from  any  individual  white 
man,  their  peculiar  code  of  morals  told  them  they 
might  rightly  attempt  to  redress  by  wreaking  their 
vengeance  upon  any  pale  face,  however  innocent  he 
might  be.  Thus  hundreds  of  Indian  warriors  might, 
at  any  time,  come  swooping  down  upon  Mr.  Carson's 
cabin,  laying  it  in  ashes,  and  burying  their  toma 
hawks  in  the  brains  of  his  family. 

The  few  white  men,  some  half  a  dozen  in  number, 
who  had  gathered  around  Mr.  Carson,  deemed  it 
expedient  for  self-defence  to  unite  and  build  a  large 
log  cabin,  which  should  be  to  them  both  a  house  and 
a  fort.  This  building  of  logs,  quite  long  and  but 
one  story  high,  was  pierced,  at  several  points,  with 
portholes,  through  which  the  muzzles  of  the  rifles 
could  be  thrust.  As  an  additional  precaution  they 
surrounded  this  house  with  palisades,  consisting  of 
sticks  of  timber,  six  or  eight  inches  in  diameter,  and 
about  ten  feet  high,  planted  as  closely  as  possible 
together.  These  palisades  were  also  pierced  with 
portholes. 

With  a  practiced  eye,  these  men  had  selected  a 
very  beautiful  spot  for  their  habitation,  in  what  is 
now  called  Howard  county,  Missouri,  just  north  of 
the  Missouri  river.  It  seems  that  they  had  much  to 
fear  from  the  Indians.  There  were  at  this  time, 
frequent  wars  with  them,  in  the  more  eastern  por- 


1 6  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

tions  of  the  continent,  and  the  rumors  of  these  con 
flicts  reached  the  ears  of  all  the  roving  tribes,  and 
greatly  excited  them.  It  became  necessary  for  the 
settlers  to  go  upon  their  hunting  excursions  with 
much  caution. 

As  the  months  passed  rapidly  away,  other  persons 
one  after  another,  came  to  their  fort.  They  were 
glad  to  find  a  safe  retreat  there,  and  were  welcomed 
as  giving  additional  strength  to  the  little  garrison. 
Game  began  to  be  scarce  around  their  lonely  habita 
tion,  for  the  crack  of  the  rifle  was  almost  incessantly 
heard  there.  It  thus  became  necessary  to  resort 
more  generally  to  farming,  especially  to  raising  large 
fields  of  corn,  whose  golden  ears  could  easily  be 
converted  into  pork  and  into  bread.  With  these 
two  articles  of  food,  cornbread  and  bacon,  life  could 
be  hilarious  on  the  frontier.  Keenness  of  appetite 
supplied  the  want  of  all  other  delicacies. 

When  they  went  to  the  cornfield  to  work,  they 
first  made  a  careful  exploration  of  the  region  around, 
to  see  if  there  were  any  lurking  savages  near.  Then 
with  their  guns  ever  ready  to  be  grasped,  and  keep 
ing  a  close  lookout  for  signs  of  danger,  they  ploughed 
and  sowed  and  gathered  in  their  harvest. 

Thus  fifteen  years  passed  away.  Civilization 
made  gradual  encroachments.  Quite  a  little  cluster 
of  log  huts  was  reared  in  the  vicinity,  where  the 


EARLY   TRAINING.  I/ 

inmates  in  case  of  necessity  could  flee  to  the  fort  for 
protection.  Christopher,  at  fifteen  years  of  age,  was 
an  unlettered  boy,  small  in  stature,  but  very  fond  of 
the  solitude  of  the  forest,  and  quite  renowned  as  a 
marksman.  He  was  amiable  in  disposition,  gentle 
in  his  manners,  and  in  all  respects  a  good  boy.  He 
had  a  strong  character.  Whatever  he  undertook,  he 
quietly  and  without  any  boasting  performed.  With 
sound  judgment,  and  endowed  with  singular  strength 
and  elasticity,  he  was  even  then  deemed  equal  to 
any  man  in  all  the  requirements  of  frontier  life. 

At  a  short  distance  from  the  fort  there  was  a 
saddler,  and  Mr.  Carson,  with  the  advice  of  friends, 
decided  to  apprentice  his  son,  now  called  Kit,  to 
learn  that  trade.  The  boy  remained  in  this  employ 
ment  for  two  weary  years.  Though  faithful  to  every 
duty,  and  gaining  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his 
employer,  the  work  was  uncongenial  to  him.  He 
longed  for  the  freedom  of  the  wilderness ;  for  the 
sublime  scenes  of  nature,  to  which  such  a  life  would 
introduce  him  ;  for  the  exciting  chase  of  the  buffalo, 
and  the  lucrative  pursuits  of  the  trapper,  floating  on 
distant  streams  in  the  birch  canoe,  and  loading  his 
bark  with  rich  furs,  which  ever  commanded  a  ready 
sale. 

All  these  little  settlements  were  clustered  around 
some  protecting  fort.  A  man,  who  was  brought  up 


1 8  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

in  the  remote  West,  furnishes  the  following  interest 
ing  incident  in  his  own  personal  experience.  It 
gives  a  very  graphic  description  of  the  alarms  to 
which  these  pioneers  were  exposed  : 

"  The  fort  to  which  my  father  belonged  was  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  from  his  farm.  But  when  this 
fort  went  to  decay  and  was  unfit  for  use,  a  new  one 
was  built  near  our  own  house.  I  well  remember, 
when  a  little  boy,  the  family  were  sometimes  waked 
up  in  the  dead  of  night  by  an  express,  with  the 
report  that  the  Indians  were  at  hand.  The  express 
came  softly  to  the  door  and  by  a  gentle  tapping 
raised  the  family.  This  was  easily  done,  as  an 
habitual  fear  made  us  ever  watchful,  and  sensible  to 
the  slightest  alarm.  The  whole  family  were  instantly 
in  motion. 

"  My  father  seized  his  gun  and  other  implements 
of  war.  My  mother  waked  up  and  dressed  the 
children  as  well  as  she  could.  Being  myself  the 
oldest  of  the  children,  I  had  to  take  my  share  of  the 
burdens  to  be  carried  to  the  fort.  There  was  no 
possibility  of  getting  a  horse  in  the  night  to  aid  us. 
Besides  the  little  children  we  caught  up  such  articles 
of  clothing  and  provisions  as  we  could  get  hold  of  in 
the  dark,  for  we  durst  not  light  a  candle  or  even  stir 
the  fire.  All  this  was  done  with  the  utmost  dis 
patch  and  in  the  silence  of  death.  The  great- 


EARLY   TRAINING.  19 

est  care  was  taken  not  to  awaken  the  youngest 
child. 

"  To  the  rest  it  was  enough  to  say  Indian,  and 
not  a  whisper  was  heard  afterward.  Thus  it  often 
happened  that  the  whole  number  belonging  to  a  fort, 
who  were  in  the  evening  at  their  homes,  were  all  in 
their  little  fortress  before  the  dawn  of  the  next 
morning.  In  the  course  of  the  next  day  their 
household  furniture  was  brought  in  by  men  under 
arms.  Some  families  belonging  to  each  fort  were 
much  less  under  the  influence  of  fear  than  others. 
These  often,  after  an  alarm  had  subsided,  in  spite  of 
every  remonstrance,  would  remove  home,  while  their 
more  prudent  neighbors  remained  in  the  fort.  Such 
families  were  denominated  fool-hardy,  and  gave  no 
small  amount  of  trouble  by  creating  such  frequent 
necessities  of  sending  runners  to  warn  them  of  their 
danger,  and  sometimes  parties  of  our  men  to  pro 
tect  them  during  their  removal." 

While  Kit  Carson  was  impatiently  at  work  on 
the  bench  of  the  harness-maker,  feeding  his  soul 
with  the  stories,  often  greatly  exaggerated,  of  the 
wonders  of  scenes  and  adventures  to  be  encountered 
in  the  boundless  West,  a  party  of  traders  came 
along,  who  were  on  the  route  for  Santa  Fe.  This 
city,  renowned  in  the  'annals  of  the  West,  was  the 
capital  of  the  Spanish  province  of  New  Mexico.  It 


2O  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

was  situated  more  than  a  thousand  miles  from  Mis 
souri,  and  contained  a  mongrel  population  of  about 
three  thousand  souls.  Goods  from  the  States  could 
be  readily  sold  there  at  a  profit  of  one  or  two  hun 
dred  per  cent.  Cotton  cloth  brought  three  dollars  a 
yard. 

Captain  Pike,  upon  his  return  from  his  exploring 
tour,  brought  back  quite  glowing  accounts  of  Santa 
Fe  and  its  surroundings.  It  was  a  long  and  perilous 
journey  from  Missouri.  The  party  was  all  strongly 
armed,  with  their  goods  borne  in  packs  upon  mules 
and  horses.  They  expected  to  live  almost  entirely 
upon  the  game  they  could  shoot  by  the  way.  Kit, 
purely  from  the  love  of  adventure,  applied  to  join 
them.  Gladly  was  he  received.  Though  but  a  boy 
of  eighteen,  his  stable  character,  his  vigorous 
strength,  and  his  training  in  all  the  mysteries  of 
frontier  life,  rendered  him  an  invaluable  acquisi 
tion. 

The  perils  to  which  they  were  exposed  may  be 
inferred  from  the  fate  which  some  traders  encoun 
tered  soon  after  Kit  Carson's  party  had  accomplished 
the  journey.  There  were  twelve  traders  returning 
from  Santa  Fe.  To  avoid  the  Indians  they  took  an 
extreme  southern  route.  Day  after  day  they  toiled 
along,  encountering  no  savages.  It  was  December, 
and  in  that  climate  mild  and  serene.  A  caravan  of 


EARLY  TRAINING.  21 

twenty  horses  or  mules  travelling  in  single  file, 
leaves  a  trail  behind  which  can  easily  be  followed. 

Our  adventurers  were  on  a  treeless  prairie,  an 
ocean  of  land,  where  nothing  obstructed  the  view 
to  the  remote  horizon.  One  beautiful  morning,  just 
after  they  had  taken  their  breakfast  and  resumed 
their  march,  they  perceived,  not  a  little  to  their 
alarm,  some  moving  object  far  in  the  distance  behind. 
It  soon  resolved  itself  into  a  band  of  several  hundred 
Indians,  well  mounted,  painted  and  decorated  in  the 
highest  style  of  barbaric  art.  They  were  thoroughly 
armed  with  their  deadly  bows  and  arrows  and  spears. 
It  was  indeed  an  imposing  spectacle  as  these  savage 
warriors  on  their  fleet  steeds,  with  their  long  hair 
and  pennons  streaming  in  the  wind,  came  down 
upon  them. 

The  little  caravan  halted  and  prepared  for 
defence.  There  were  twelve  bold  hearts  to  encoun 
ter  several  hundred  foes  on  the  open  prairie.  They 
knew  that  the  main  object  of  the  Indians  would  be 
to  seize  the  horses  and  mules  and  effect  a  stampede 
with  their  treasure.  This  being  accomplished  they 
would  torture  and  murder  the  traders  in  mere  wan 
tonness.  The  savages  had  a  very  salutary  caution 
of  rifles  which  could  throw  a  bullet  twice  as  far  as 
the  strongest  bow  and  the  most  sinewy  arm  could 
speed  an  arrow. 


22  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

With  the  swoop  of  the  whirlwind  they  ap 
proached  until  they  came  within  gun-shot  distance, 
when  they  as  suddenly  stopped.  'Each  trader  had 
fastened  his  horse  or  mule  with  a  rope  and  an  iron 
pin  two  feet  long  driven  firmly  into  the  ground. 
They  knew  that  if  they  were  captured  a  cruel  death 
awaited  them.  They  therefore  prepared  to  sell  their 
lives  as  dearly  as  possible.  There  was  no  trunk  or 
tree,  or  stone  behind  which  either  party  could  hide. 
The  open  prairie  covered  with  grass  was  smooth  as 
a  floor. 

For  a  short  time  both  bands  stood  looking  at 
each  other.  The  traders  in  a  small  group  had  every 
man  his  rifle.  Had  the  Indians  in  their  resistless 
strength  come  rushing  simultaneously  upon  them, 
they  could  easily  have  been  trampled  into  the  dust. 
But  it  was  equally  certain  that  twelve  bullets,  with 
unerring  aim,  would  have  pierced  the  hearts  of  twelve 
of  their  warriors.  The  Indians  were  very  chary  of 
their  own  lives.  They  were  never  ready  for  a  fight 
in  the  open  field,  however  great  might  be  the  odds  in 
their  favor. 

The  savages  having  halted  and  conferred  together, 
endeavored  to  assume  a  friendly  attitude.  With  a 
great  show  of  brotherly  feeling  they  cautiously 
approached  one  by  one.  The  traders  not  wishing  to 
commence  the  conflict,  began  to  move  on,  leading 


EARLY   TRAINING.  23 

their  animals  and  with  their  rifles  cocked,  watching 
every  movement  of  the  intruders.  The  mounted 
Indians  followed  along,  quite  surrounding  with  their 
large  numbers  the  little  band  of  white  men. 

Two  of  the  mules  lagged  a  little  behind.  One 
or  two  of  the  bolder  of  the  savages  made  a  dash  at 
them  and  shot  dead  a  man  by  the  name  of  Pratt, 
who  had  them  in  charge.  It  was  the  signal  of  bat 
tle.  A  shower  of  arrows  fell  upon  the  traders, 
another  man  dropped  dead,  and  an  arrow  buried  its 
head  in  the  thigh  of  another.  Several  of  the  In 
dians  also  fell.  But  the  savages  manifested  a  great 
dread  of  the  rifle ;  and  though  they  were  forty  to 
one  against  the  white  men,  they  retreated  to  a  safe 
distance.  As  they  felt  sure  of  their  victims,  they  did 
not  wish  to  peril  their  own  lives. 

The  traders  hastily  took  the  packs  from  the  mules 
and  piled  them  around  for  a  barricade.  The  Indians 
were  very  wary.  But  by  entirely  surrounding  the 
little  fort  and  creeping  through  the  long  grass  they 
succeeded  in  a  few  hours  in  shooting  every  one  of 
the  mules  and  horses  of  the  traders.  The  savages 
kept  up  an  incessant  howling,  and  thirty-six  dreadful 
hours  thus  passed  away.  It  seemed  but  a  prolonga 
tion  of  death's  agonies.  Hunger  and  thirst  would 
ere  long  destroy  them,  even  though  they  should 
escape  the  arrow  and  the  tomahawk.  It  was  not 


24  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

deemed  wise  to  expend  a  single  charge  of  powder  or 
a  bullet,  unless  sure  of  their  aim.  And  the  Indians 
crept  so  near,  prostrated  in  the  long  grass,  that  not  a 
head  could  be  raised  above  the  frail  ramparts  with 
out  encountering  the  whiz  of  arrows. 

The  day  passed  away.  Night  came  and  went. 
Another  day  dawned,  and  the  hours  lingered  slowly 
along,  while  the  traders  lay  flat  upon  the  ground, 
cramped  in  their  narrow  limits,  awaiting  apparently 
the  sure  approach  of  death. 

The  night  was  dark,  dense  clouds  obscuring  the 
sky.  The  Indians  themselves  had  become  some 
what  weary,  and  deeming  it  impossible  for  their 
victims  to  escape  and  feeling  sure  of  the  booty, 
which  could  by  no  possibility  be  removed,  relaxed 
their  watchfulness.  As  any  death  was  preferable  to 
captivity  and  torture  by  the  Indians,  the  traders 
resolved,  in  the  gloom  of  midnight  to  attempt  an 
escape,  though  the  chances  were  a  hundred  to  one 
that  they  would  be  almost  buried  beneath  the  arrows 
of  the  howling  savages. 

Cautiously  they  emerged  from  their  hiding-place, 
creeping  slowly  and  almost  breathlessly  through  the 
tall  grass  of  the  prairie,  till  quite  to  their  surprise, 
they  found  themselves  beyond  the  circle  of  the 
besiegers.  There  were  ten  men,  one  wounded,  flee 
ing  for  life,  expecting  every  moment  to  be  pursued 


EARLY   TRAINING.  2$ 

by  five  hundred  savages.  It  was  a  long,  dark,  dismal 
winter's  night,  for  in  that  changing  clime  a  freezing 
night  succeeded  a  sunny  day.  Like  spectres  they 
fled  over  the  open  prairie.  That  their  flight  might 
not  be  encumbered  they  had  taken  nothing  with 
them  but  their  guns  and  ammunition. 

They  were  determined  men.  In  whatever  num 
bers  and  with  whatever  speed  the  mounted  Indians 
might  ride  down  upon  them,  ten  of  their  warriors 
would  inevitably  bite  the  dust  ere  the  fugitives  could 
be  taken.  The  Indians  fully  understood  this.  And 
when  the  morning  dawned  and  they  saw  that  their 
victims  had  escaped,  instead  of  pursuing,  they  satis 
fied  their  valor  in  holding  a  triumphant  powwow  over 
the  rich  booty  they  had  gained. 

It  was  a  chill  day  and  the  wind  moaned  dismally 
over  the  bleak  prairie.  But  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
extend  no  foe  could  'be  seen.  Not  even  a  tree 
obscured  the  vision.  The  exhaustion  of  the  fugitives, 
from  their  thirty-six  hours  of  sleeplessness  and  battle, 
and  their  rapid  flight,  was  extreme.  They  shot  a 
few  prairie  chickens,. built  a  small  fire  of  dried  buffalo 
chips  with  which  they  cooked  their  frugal  breakfast, 
and  then,  lying  dow»  upon  the  rank  grass,  slept 
soundly  for  a  few  hours. 

They  then  pressed  on  their  pathless  way  toward 
the  rising  sun.  Through  weary  days  and  nights  they 


26  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

toiled  on,  through  rain  and  cold,  sleeping  often  in 
stormy  nights  drenched,  upon  the  bare  soil,  without 
even  a  blanket  to  cover  their  shivering  frames.  Their 
feet  became  blistered.  Passing  beyond  the  bounds 
of  the  open  prairie,  they  sometimes  found  themselves 
in  bogs,  sometimes  in  tangled  forests.  There  were 
streams  to  be  waded  or  to  be  crossed  upon  such 
rude  rafts  as  they  could  frame  with  their  hatchets. 
Their  clothes  hung  in  tatters  around  them,  and, 
most  deplorable  of  all,  their  ammunition  became 
expended. 

For  days  they  lived  upon  roots  and  the  tender 
bark  of  trees.  Some  became  delirious,  indeed  some 
seemed  quite  insane  through  their  sufferings.  The 
man  who  was  wounded,  Mr.  Schenck,  was  a  gentleman 
of  intelligence  and  of  refinement  and  of  distinguished 
family  connections,  from  Ohio.  A  poetic  tempera 
ment  had  induced  him  to  seek  the  romance  of  an 
adventure  through  the  unexplored  wilderness. 

After  incredible  sufferings  his  wound  became  so 
inflamed  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  go  any 
farther.  Prostrate  upon  a  mound  in  the  forest  his 
comrades  left  him.  They  could  do  absolutely 
nothing  for  him.  They  could  not  supply  him  with  a 
morsel  of  food  or  with  a  cup  of  water.  They  had 
no  heart  even  to  bid  him  adieu.  Silently  they 
tottered  along,  and  Mr.  Schenck  was  left  to  die. 


EARLY   TRAINING.  2^ 

Through  what  hours  of  suffering  he  lingered  none 
but  God  can  tell.  Not  even  his  bones  were  ever 
found  to  shed  any  light  upon  his  sad  fate. 

So  deep  became  the  dejection  of  these  wanderers 
that  often  for  hours  not  one  word  was  spoken.  They 
were  lost  in  the  wilderness  and  could  only  direct 
their  steps  toward  the  rising  sun.  After  leaving  Mr. 
Schenck  there  were  but  nine  men  remaining.  They 
soon  disagreed  in  reference  to  the  route  to  follow. 
This  led  to  a  separation,  and  five  went  in  one  direc 
tion  and  four  in  another.  The  five,  after  wandering 
about  in  the  endurance  of  sufferings  which  can 
scarcely  be  conceived  of,  fell  in  with  a  party  of 
friendly  Creek  Indians,  by  whom  they  were  rescued 
and  treated  with  the  greatest  humanity.  Of  the 
other  four  two  only  succeeded  in  escaping  from  the 
mazes  of  the  wilderness. 

Such  were  the  perils  upon  which  the  youthful 
Kit  Carson  was  now  entering  from  the  pure  love  of 
adventure.  He  was  not  uninformed  respecting  these 
dangers.  The  knowledge  of  them  did  but  add  to 
the  zest  of  the  enterprise. 

Crossing  the  plains  of  the  interior  of  our  Conti 
nent  from  the  Missouri  river  to  the  Rocky  mountains, 
was  a  very  different  undertaking  half  a  century  ago, 
from  what  it  has  been  in  more  modern  times.  The 
route  was  then  almost  entirely  unexplored.  There 


28  .       CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

were  no  charts  to  guide.  The  bold  adventurers 
knew  not  where  they  would  find  springs  of  water, 
where  forage  for  their  animals,  where  they  would 
enter  upon  verdureless  deserts,  where  they  could 
find  ford  ing-places  of  the  broad  and  rapid  rivers 
which  they  might  encounter  on  their  way. 

This  is  not  a  forest-covered  continent.  The  vast 
plains  of  the  interior,  whether  smooth  or  undulating 
or  rugged,  spread  far  away  for  weary  leagues,  almost 
treeless.  The  forest  was  found  mainly  skirting  the 
streams.  Immense  herds  of  buffaloes,  often  number 
ing  ten  or  twenty  thousand,  grazed  upon  these  rich 
and  boundless  pastures.  Timid  deer  and  droves  of 
wild  horses,  almost  countless  in  numbers,  here 
luxuriated  in  a  congenial  home.  There  was  scarcely 
a  white  man  in  the  land  whose  eyes  had  ever  beheld 
the  cliffs  of  the  Rocky  mountains.  And  each  Indian 
tribe  had  its  hunting-grounds  marked  out  with  con 
siderable  precision,  beyond  which  even  the  boldest 
braves  seldom  ventured  to  wander. 

About  a  score  of  men  started  upon  this  trip. 
They  were  thoroughly  armed,  practiced  marksmen, 
well  mounted  and  each  man  led  a  pack  mule,  heavily 
laden  with  goods  for  the  Santa  Fe  market.  Their 
leader  was  commander-in-chief,  whom  all  were  bound 
implicitly  to  obey.  -He  led  the  company,  selecting 
the  route,  and  he  decided  when  and  where  to  encamp. 


EARLY   TRAINING.  29 

The  procession  followed  usually  in  single  file,  a  long 
line. 

Early  in  the  morning,  at  the  sound  of  the  bugle, 
all  sprang  from  their  couches  which  nature  had 
spread,  and  they  spent  no  more  time  at  their  toilet 
than  did  the  horse  or  the  cow.  After  a  hurried 
breakfast  they  commenced  their  march.  Generally 
an  abundance  of  game  was  found  on  the  way.  The 
animals  always  walked  slowly  along,  being  never  put 
to  the  trot. 

At  noon  the  leader  endeavored  to  find  some 
spot  near  a  running  stream  or  a  spring,  where 
the  animals  could  find  pasture.  The  resting  for  a. 
couple  of  hours  gave  them  time  for  their  dinner, 
which  they  had  mainly  picked  up  by  the  way. 

An  hour  or  two  before  sundown  the  camping 
ground  was  selected,  the  animals  were  tethered,  often 
in  luxuriant  grass,  and  the  hardy  pioneers,  by  no 
means  immoderately  fatigued  by  the  day's  journey, 
having  eaten  their  supper,  which  a  good  appetite 
rendered  sumptuous,  spent  the  time  till  sleep  closed 
their  eyelids  in  telling  stories  and  singing  songs.  A 
very  careful  guard  was  set,  and  the  adventurers 
enjoyed  sound  sleep  till,  with  the  dawn,  the  bugle 
call  again  summoned  them.  Under  ordinary  .circum 
stances  hardy  men  of  a  roving  turn  of  mind,  found 
very  great  attractions  in  this  adventurous  life.  They 


30  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

were  by  no  means  willing  to  exchange  its  excite 
ments  for  the  monotonous  labors  of  the  field  or  the 
shop. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Life  in  the  Wilderness. 

A  Surgical  Operation. — A  Winter  with  Kin  Cade. — Study  of  the  Lan 
guages  and  Geography. — Return  towards  Missouri. — Engagement 
with  a  new  Company  and  Strange  Adventures. — The  Rattle 
snake. — Anecdote  of  Kit  Carson. — The  Sahara. — New  Engage 
ments. — Trip  to  El  Paso. — Trapping  and  Hunting. — Prairie 
Scenery. — The  Trapper's  Outfit. — Night  Encampment. — Testi 
mony  of  an  Amateur  Hunter.. 

THE  company  of  traders  which  Kit  had  joined  en 
joyed,  on  the  whole,  a  prosperous  expedition.  They 
met  with  no  hostile  Indians  and,  with  one  exception, 
encountered  nothing  which  they  could  deem  a  hard 
ship.  There  was  one  exception,  which  most  persons 
would  deem  a  terrible  one.  The  accidental  dis 
charge  of  a  gun,  incautiously  handled,  shattered  a 
man's  arm,  shivering  the  bone  to  splinters.  The  arm 
rapidly  grew  inflamed,  became  terribly  painful,  and 
must  be  amputated  or  the  life  lost.  There  was  no 
one  in  the  party  who  knew  anything  of  surgery. 
But  they  had  a  razor,  a  handsaw  and  a  bar  of  iron. 

It  shows  the  estimation  in  which  the  firm,  gentle, 
and  yet  almost  womanly  Kit  Carson  was  held,  that 


32  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

he  was  chosen  to  perform  the  operation.  Two 
others  were  to  assist  him.  The  sufferer  took  his 
seat,  and  was  held  firmly,  that  in  his  anguish  his 
struggles  might  not  interfere  with  the  progress  of 
the  knife.  This  boy  of  but  eighteen  years  then, 
with  great  apparent  coolness,  undertook  this  formi 
dable  act  of  surgery. 

He  bound  a  ligature  around  the  arm  very  tightly, 
to  arrest,  as  far  as  possible  the  flow  of  blood.  With 
the  razor  he  cut  through  the  quivering  muscles,  ten 
dons  and  nerves.  With  the  handsaw  he  severed  the 
bone.  With  the  bar  of  iron,  at  almost  a  white  heat, 
he  cauterized  the  wound.  The  cruel  operation  was 
successful.  And  the  patient,  under  the  influence  of 
the  pure  mountain  air,  found  his  wound  almost 
healed  before  he  reached  Santa  Fe. 

Having  arrived  at  his  journey's  end,  Kit's  love 
of  adventure  led  him  not  to  return  with  the  traders, 
by  the  route  over  which  he  had  just  passed,  but  to 
push  on  still  further  in  his  explorations.  About 
eighty  miles  northeast  of  Santa  Fe  there  was  another 
Spanish  settlement,  weird-like  in  its  semi-barbarous, 
semi-civilized  aspects,  with  its  huts  of  sun-baked 
clay,  its  Catholic  priests,  its  Mexican  Indians  and  its 
half-breeds.  It  was  a  small,  lonely  settlement,  whose 
population  lived  mainly,  like  the  Indians,  upon  corn- 
meal  and  the  chase.  Kit  ever  kept  his  trusty  rifle 


LIFE  IN  THE  WILDERNESS.  33 

with  him.  His  gun  and  hatchet  constituted  his 
purse,  furnishing  him  with  food  and  lodging. 

It  was  a  mountainous  region  ;  -here  in  one  of  the 
dells,  Kit  came  across  the  solitary  hut  of  a  moun 
taineer  by  the  name  of  Kin  Cade.  They  took  a 
mutual  liking  to  each  other.  As  Kit  c««uld  at  any 
day,  with  his  rifle  bring  in  food  enough  to  last  a 
week,  the  question  of  board  did  not  come  into  con 
sideration.  It  was  in  the  latter  part  of  November 
that  Kit  first  entered  the  cabin  of  this  hunter. 
Here  he  spent  the  winter.  His  bed  consisted  proba 
bly  of  husks  of  corn  covered  with  a  buffalo  robe,  a 
luxurious  couch  for  a  healthy  and  weary  man.  Pitch 
pine  knots  brilliantly  illumined  the  hut  in  the  even 
ing.  Traps  were  set  to  catch  animals  for  their  furs. 
Deer  skins  were  softly  tanned  and  colored  for  cloth 
ing,  with  ornamental  fringes  for  coats  and  leggins 
and  moccasins.  Kit  and  his  companion  Kin  were 
their  own  tailors. 

Thus  passed  the  winter  of  1826.  Both  of  the 
men  were  very  good-natured,  and  •  of  congenial 
tastes.  They  wanted  for  nothing.  When  the  wind 
howled  amid  the  crags  of  the  mountains  and  the 
storm  beat  upon  their  lonely  habitation,  with  fuel  in 
abundance  and  a  well  filled  larder,  and  with  no  in 
toxicating  drinks  or  desire  for  them,  they  worked 
upon  their  garments  and  other  conveniences  in  the 

2 


34  CHRISTOPHER  CARSOX. 

warmth  of  their  cheerful  fireside.  It  is  not  hazard 
ing  too  much  to  say  that  these  two  gentle  men,  in 
their  solitary  cabin,  passed  a  far  more  happy  winter 
than  many  families  who  were  occupying,  in  splendid 
misery,  the  palatial  residences  of  London,  Paris  and 
New  York  - 

Kin  Cade  was  perhaps  a  Spaniard.  He  certainly 
spoke  the  Spanish  language  with  correctness  and 
fluency.  The  intelligence  of  Kit  is  manifest  from 
the  fact  that  he  devoted  himself  assiduously  during 
the  winter  to  the  acquisition  of  the  Spanish  language. 
And  his  strong  natural  abilities  are  evidenced  in  his 
having  attained,  in  that  short  time,  quite  the 
mastery  of  the  Spanish  tongue.  It  is  often  said 
that  Kit  Carson  was  entirely  an  uneducated  man. 
This  is,  in  one  respect,  a  mistake.  The  cabin  of  Kin 
Cade  was  his  academy,  where  he  pursued  his  studies 
vigorously  and  successfully  for  a  whole  winter, 
graduating  in  the  spring  with  the  highest  honors 
that  academy  could  confer. 

We  ought  not  to  forget  that,  in  addition  to  the 
study  of  the  languages,  he  also  devoted  much  atten 
tion  to  the  study  of  geography.  They  had  no  books, 
no  maps.  It  is  doubtful  indeed,  whether  either  Kit 
or  his  teacher  could  read  or  write.  But  Kin  had 
been  a  renowned  explorer.  He  had  traversed  the 
prairies,  climbed  the  mountains,  followed  the  courses 


LIFE   IN  THE   WILDERNESS.  35 

of  the  rivers,  and  paddled  over  the  lakes.  With  his 
stick  he  could  draw  upon  the  smoothly  trodden  floor 
of  his  hut,  everything  that  was  needful  of  a  chart. 
There  were  probably  many  idle  students  in  Harvard 
and  Yale,  who  during  those  winter  months  did  not 
make  as  much  intellectual  progress  as  Kit  Carson 
made. 

In  the  spring  of  1827,  Kit  again  went  forth  from 
his  winter's  retreat  into  the  wilderness  world,  which 
has  its  active  life  and  engrossing  excitements,  often 
even  far  greater  than  are  to  be  found  on  the  city's 
crowded  pavements.  Not  finding  in  these  remote 
regions  any  congenial  employment,  Kit  decided  to 
retrace  his  steps  to  Missouri.  Most  persons  would 
have  thought  that  the  journey  of  some  thousand 
miles  on  foot,  through  a  trackless  wilderness  where 
he  was  exposed  every  step  of  the  way,  to  howling 
wolves  and  merciless  savages,  a  pretty  serious  under 
taking.  Kit  appears  to  have  regarded  it  but  as  an 
every-day  occurrence. 

He  joined  a  party  of  returning  traders.  Much 
of  the  region  they  traversed  may  be  aptly  described 
in  the  language  which  Irving  applies  to  Spain.  "  It 
is  a  stern  melancholy  country,  with  rugged  moun 
tains  and  long  sweeping  plains,  indescribably  lone 
some,  solitary,  savage.''  After  travelling  nearly  five 
hundred  miles,  about  half  the  distance  back  to  Mis- 


36  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

souri,  they  reached  a  ford  of  the  Arkansas  river. 
Here  they  met  another  party  of  traders  bound  to 
Santa  Fe.  Kit,  who  with  great  reluctance  had 
decided  to  return  home,  eagerly  joined  them.  His 
services  were  deemed  very  valuable,  and  they  offered 
him  a  rich  reward.  His  knowledge  of  the  Spanish 
language  became  now  a  valuable  investment  to  him*, 
and  as  he  had  already  twice  traversed  the  route,  he 
was  at  once  invested  with  the  dignity  of  guide  as 
well  as  interpreter. 

The  following  incident,  related  by  a  traveller  who 
was  passing  over  this  same  plain  under  the  guidance 
of  Kit  Carson,  shows  that  there  are  other  dangers  to 
be  encountered  besides  the  prowling  savage  and  the 
wolf: 

"  It  was  a  bright  moonlight  night.  I  had,  as  was 
my  custom,  spread  my  saddle  leathers  for  a  bed,  and 
had  drawn  my  blanket  closely  around  me.  Weary 
with  the  day's  march,  I  had  been  sleeping  soundly 
for  several  hours,  when  about  midnight  I  awoke  sud 
denly  with  an  unaccountable  feeling  of  dread.  It 
must  have  been  a  sort  of  instinct  which  prompted  me, 
for  in  a  moment  I  was  upon  my  feet,  and  then,  upon 
removing  my  blanket,  I  found  a  rattlesnake,  swollen 
with  rage  and  poison,  coiled  and  ready  to  strike. 

"  I  drew  away  the  blanket  which  served  as  a 
mattress,  intending  to  kill  the  reptile,  when  to  my 


LIFE   IN   THE   WILDERNESS.  37 

astonishment  it  glided  away  making  its  escape  into 
a  small  opening  in  the  ground  directly  beneath  my 
bed.  The  whole  matter  was  explained  at  once. 
The  snake  had  probably  been  out  to  see  a  neighbor; 
and  getting  home  after  I  was  asleep,  felt  a  gentle 
manly  unwillingness  to  disturb  me.  And,  as  I  had 
taken  possession  of  his  dwelling  he  took  part  of  my 
sleeping  place,  crawling  under  the  blanket  where  he 
must  have  lain  quietly  by  my  side  until  I  rolled  over 
and  disturbed  him.  I  can  scarcely  say  that  I  slept 
much  more  that  night,  and  even  Carson  admitted 
that  it  made  him  a  little  nervous." 

Kit  Carson  was  not  a  garrulous  man.  He  was 
much  more  given  to  reflection  than  to  talk,  and  he 
was  never  known  to  speak  boastfully  of  any  of  his 
achievements.  It  is  the  invariable  testimony  of  all 
who  knew  him,  that  he  was  mild,  gentle  and  unas 
suming,  one  of  Nature's  noblemen.  While  travelling 
he  scarcely  ever  spoke.  Nothing  escaped  his  keen 
eye.  His  whole  appearance  was  that  of  a  man 
deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  responsibility 
of  his  office.  He  knew  full  well  the  treacherous 
character  of  the  Indians,  and  that  "  the  better  part 
of  valor  is  discretion." 

He  had  often  seen  men  killed  at  night  by  an 
invisible  foe.  From  the  impenetrable  darkness  which 
surrounded  the  camp  fire,  an  arrow  would  come 


38  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

winged  with  death,  piercing  the  heart  of  some 
mountaineer  whose  body  was  clearly  revealed  by  the 
firelight.  Kit  Carson  would  never  thus  expose  him 
self.  He  would  always  spread  his  blanket  where  the 
firelight  would  not  reveal  him. 

"  No,  no  boys,"  he  would  say  to  his  often  reckless 
comrades,  "  you  may  hang  around  the  fire  if  you  will. 
It  may  do  for  you,  if  you  like  it.  But  I  do  not  wish 
to  have  a  Digger  Indian  slip  an  arrow  into  me  when 
I  cannot  see  him.'' 

A  gentleman,  who  was  guided  over  the  plains  by 
Kit,  writes,  "  During  this  journey  I  have  often 
watched  Carson's  preparation  for  the  night.  A 
braver  man  than  Kit  perhaps  never  lived.  In  fact,  I 
doubt  if  he  ever  knew  what  fear  was.  But  with  all 
this  he  exercised  great  caution.  While  arranging 
his  bed,  his  saddle,  which  he  always  used  as  a  pillow, 
was  disposed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  form  a  barricade 
for  his  head.  His  pistols  half  cocked  were  placed 
above  it,  and  his  trusty  rifle  reposed  beneath  the 
blanket  by  his  side,  where  it  was  not  only  ready  for 
instant  use  but  perfectly  protected  from  the  damp. 
Except  now  and  then  to  light  his  pipe,  you  never 
caught  Kit,  at  night,  exposing  himself  to  the  full 
glare  of  the  camp  fire." 

When  on  the  march  everything  was  conducted 
with  military  precision.  At  the  early  dawn  as  Kit 


LIFE   IN   THE  WILDERNESS.  39 

gave  the  signal  to  prepare  to  start,  all  were  instantly 
in  motion.  The  mules  were  brought  up  ;  their  packs 
were  fastened  firmly  upon  their  backs,  an  operation 
which  required  much  labor  and  skill.  The  mules 
have  a  strange  instinct  which  leads  them  to  follow 
with  a  sort  of  fascination  a  white  horse.  Thus 
generally  a  white  horse  or  mare  leads  the  cavalcade. 

At  times  it  was  necessary  to  march  long  distances 
without  meeting  water.  One  of  these  dreary 
stretches  was  eighty  miles  long.  It  was  necessary 
to  pass  over  it  as  rapidly  as  possible,  day  and  night 
almost  without  resting.  In  accomplishing  one  of 
these  arduous  journeys  across  a  desert  almost  as  bare 
as  that  of  Sahara,  the  party  set  out  one  afternoon  at 
three  o'clock.  One  of  the  travellers  writes : 

"  I  shall  never  forget  the  impression  which  that 
night's  journey  left  upon  my  mind.  Sometimes  the 
trail  led  us  over  large  basins  of  deep  sand,  where 
the  trampling  of  the  mules'  feet  gave  forth  no  sound. 
This,  added  to  the  almost  terrible  silence  which  ever 
reigns  in  the  solitude  of  the  desert,  rendered  our 
transit  more  like  the  passage  of  some  airy  spectacle 
where  the  actors  were  shadows  instead  of  men. 
Nor  is  this  comparison  a  strained  one,  for  our  way 
worn  voyagers,  with  their  tangled  locks  and  unshorn 
beards,  rendered  white  as  snow  by  the  fine  sand  with 
which  the  air  in  these  regions  is  often  filled,  had  a 


4O  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

weird  and  ghost-like  look,  which  the  gloomy  scene 
around,  with  its  frowning  rocks  and  moonlit  sands, 
tended  to  enhance  and  heighten.'' 

It  is  said,  as  illustrative  of  Kit's  promptness  of 
action,  that  one  night  an  inexperienced  guard 
shouted  "  Indians.''  In  an  instant  Kit  was  on  his 
feet,  pistol  in  hand.  A  dark  object  was  approaching 
him.  The  loss  of  a  second  of  time  might  enable  a 
savage  to  bury  his  arrow-head  deep  in  his  side  and  to 
disappear  in  the  darkness.  Like  a  flash  of  lightning 
Kit  fired  and  shot  his  mule.  It  was  a  false  alarm. 

The  traders  arrived  safely  in  Santa  Fe.  Kit 
Carson,  having  faithfully  performed  his  contract, 
began  to  look  around  for  new  adventures.  Three 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  south  of  Santa  Fe,  there 
was  the  Mexican  province  of  Chihuahua.  It  was  a 
very  rich  mining  district,  and  many  adventurers  had 
flocked  to  it  from  Spain.  There  was  here  a  narrow 
valley  of  the  Rio  Grande  about  ten  miles  in  extent, 
and  quite  well  filled  with  the  rude  settlements  of  the 
miners.  It  is  said  that  at  one  time  there  were  nearly 
seventy  thousand  Spaniards  and  Indians  scattered 
along  the  river  banks  in  search  of  the  precious 
metals. 

A  trading  party  was  bound  from  Santa  Fe  to  this 
region.  Colonel  Trammel  was  the  leader  of  this 
party,  and  he  eagerly  secured  the  services  of  Kit 


LIFE  IN   THE   WILDERNESS.  41 

Carson,  who,  in  addition  to  his  experience  as  a  trav 
eller,  could  also  perform  the  functions  of  an  inter 
preter.  We  have  no  record  of  the  incidents  which 
occurred  on  this  journey.  As  the  route  was  well 
known,  and  there  were  no  hostile  Indians  to  be 
encountered,  it  was  probably  uneventful. 

In  this  valley  of  El  Paso,  as  it  was  called,  Carson 
found  about  five  thousand  people,  mostly  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  river.  The  rudeness  of  the  style 
in  which  they  lived  painfully  impressed  him.  There 
was  far  more  comfort  in  the  cabins  he  had  left  in 
Missouri. 

The  houses  were  of  clay  baked  in  the  sun,  with 
earthen  floors.  Window  glass  was  a  luxury  unknown. 
It  seems  almost  incredible  that  they  should  have  had 
neither  chairs,  tables,  knives  nor  forks.  These 
Mexicans  were  scarcely  one  remove  from  the  un 
tamed  savages  of  the  wilderness.  Young  Carson 
found  nothing  to  interest  him  or  to  invite  his  stay. 
He  returned  to  Santa  Fe.  The  summer  had  now 
passed  and  another  winter  come. 

About  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  north  of  Santa 
Fe  there  was  a  small  collection  of  huts  called  Taos, 
inhabited  by  trappers  and  hunters.  This  pursuit  of 
game  for  food  and  fur  was  the  employment  which 
was  congenial  to  him  above  all  others.  He  directed 
his  steps  to  Taos  and  at  once  entered  into  an  engage- 


42  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

ment  with  Mr.  Ewing  Young,  making  his  cabin 
headquarters. 

Hunting  and  trapping  were  somewhat  different 
employments,  though  perhaps  equally  exciting.  The 
hunter  depended  upon  his  rifle,  and  was  mainly  in 
search  of  food.  Still  the  robe  of  the  buffalo  and  the 
coat  of  the  grizzly  bear  were  very  useful  in  various 
ways,  in  the  cabin  of  the  hunter,  and  the  softly 
tanned  skin  of  the  deer  was  invaluable,  furnishing 
every  article  of  clothing,  shirt,  leggins  and  moccasins. 
The  skins  of  these  animals  had  also  a  market  value. 

But  the  trapper  was  in  pursuit  of  furs  only. 
Though  the  men  engaged  in  this  pursuit  were  occa 
sionally  exposed  to  great  hardship  and  suffering, 
still,  in  general  they  probably  had,  in  the  gratification 
of  congenial  tastes,  a  full  share  of  such  happiness  as 
this  world  can  furnish. 

Young  Carson,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  had  no 
taste  for  the  scholarly  seclusion  of  Yale  or  Harvard, 
no  desire  to  stand  all  day  behind  the  counter  of  the 
dry-goods  store,  or  to  work  amid  the  crowd  and  the 
hum  of  the  factory;  he  had  no  wish  for  what  is 
called  society,  or  to  saunter  down  Broadway  with 
his  cigar  and  his  cane,  to  exhibit  his  tightly-fitting 
garments  ;  but  he  did  love  to  set  out  on  a  hunting 
and  trapping  expedition.  Let  us  follow  him  in  one 
of  these  adventures. 


LIFE   IN  THE   WILDERNESS.  43 

It  is  a  bright  morning  of  the  Indian  summer,  far 
along  in  November.  There  is  a  small  log  cabin  on  a 
mound  of  the  wilderness.  A  dense  forest  breaks  the 
northern  winds.  A  rippling  stream  runs  by  the  door. 
Beyond  lies  the  prairie  rich  in  verdure  and  enamelled 
with  gorgeous  autumnal  flowers.  Herds  of  buffalo 
are  grazing  in  groups  of  hundreds,  sometimes  of 
thousands,  on  the  broad  expanse.  Gangs  of  deer 
are  seen,  graceful,  beautiful,  following  in  the  train 
of  the  antlered  bucks,  and  with  scent  so  keen  and 
eyes  so  piercing  that  it  requires  the  utmost  skill  of 
the  hunter  to  approach  them  within  rifle  shot. 
Clouds  of  prairie  chickens  and  quails  are  floating 
here  and  there  in  their  short  flight.  It  is  the  para 
dise  of  the  hunter.  Let  no  one  think  this  description 
overdrawn.  It-would  be  difficult  to  exaggerate  the 
loveliness  of  the  flower-spangled  prairie  on  a  bright 
autumnal  day.  Eden  could  scarcely  have  presented 
scenes  more  attractive. 

Young  Carson  stands  at  the  door  of  the  cabin 
with  a  stout  mule  before  him.  The  animal  is  strong 
and  plump,  having  been  feasting  upon  the  wild  oats 
growing  luxuriantly  around.  Carson  is  packing  his 
mule.  His  outfit  consists  of  a  Mexican  blanket, 
rough,  thick  and  warm ;  a  supply  of  ammunition  ;  a 
kettle  ;  possibly  a  coffee-pot  and  some  coffee,  which 
have  been  obtained  at  Santa  Fe  ;  several  iron  traps ; 


44  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

some  dressed  deerskin  for  replacing  clothing  and 
moccasins,  a  hatchet  and  a  few  other  similar  articles. 
In  addition  to  his  mule  he  may  also  take  a  pony  to 
bear  him  on  the  way.  Thus,  if  by  accident,  one 
give  out,  he  has  another  animal  to  rely  upon.  And 
if  very  successful  he  may  have  furs  enough  to  load 
them  both  on  his  return. 

His  costume  consists  of  a  hunting  shirt  of  the 
soft  and  pliable  deerskin,  ornamented  with  long 
fringes  and  often  dyed  with  bright  vermilion.  Panta 
loons  of  the  same  material  are  also  ornamented 
with  fringes  and  porcupine's  quills  of  various  colors. 
Many  a  tranquil  hour  has  been  beguiled,  in  the  long 
evenings  and  when  the  storm  has  beaten  upon  the 
hut,  in  fashioning  these  garments  with  artistic  taste, 
learned  of  the  Indians.  A  flexible  cap,  often  of  rich 
fur,  covers  his  head,  and  moccasins,  upon  which  all 
the  resources  of  barbaric  embroidery  have  been  ex 
pended,  cover  his  feet. 

His  rifle  is  borne  on  his  left  shoulder.  His  pow 
der  horn  and  bullet  pouch  hang  under  his  right  arm. 
In  his  bullet  pouch  he  also  carries  spare  flints,  steel 
and  various  odds  and  ends.  Beneath  the  broad  belt 
which  encircles  his  waist  there  is  a  large  butcher 
knife  in  a  sheath  of  buffalo  hide.  There  is  a  whet 
stone  in  a  buckskin  case  made  fast  to  the  belt,  and 
also  a  small  hatchet  or  tomahawk. 


LIFE   IN   THE   WILDERNESS.  45 

Thus  accoutred,  our  young  hunter  and  trapper 
sets  out  in  search  of  the  most  lonely  ravine  which  he 
can  find  among  the  mountains.  He  would  reach  if 
possible,  some  solitary  stream  which  no  white  man's 
eye  had  ever  beheld.  He  has  no  road,  no  trail  to 
guide  him.  He  rides  his  pony  and  leads  his  mule. 
Over  the  prairie,  through  the  forest,  across  the 
streams,  in  silence  and  in  a  solitude  which  to  him  is 
not  lonely,  he  passes  on  his  way. 

Night  comes.  If  pleasant,  he  unburdens  his 
horse  and  mule ;  drives  his  iron  pickets  into  the 
ground,  to  which  his  animals  are  attached  by  ropes 
about  thirty  feet  long,  generally  in  pastures  of  rich 
grass  or  wild  oats;  builds  a  fire,  cooks  his  supper, 
rolls  himself  in  his  blanket  and  sleeps  soundly  till 
morning.  If  the  weather  is  unpleasant  it  makes  but 
little  difference.  He  knows  exactly  what  to  do.  In 
a  short  time  he  constructs  a  frail  but  ample  shelter ; 
and  then,  with  his  feet  towards  the  fire,  sleeps  sweetly 
regardless  of  the  storm.  His  animals  have  no  more 
need  of  shelter  than  have  the  bears  and  the  buffa 
loes. 

This  is  the  ordinary  life  of  the  hunter.  There 
are,  of  course,  exceptions  when  calamity  and  woe 
come.  A  joint  may  be  sprained,  a  limb  broken. 
Fire  may  burn,  or  Indians  may  come,  bringing  cap 
tivity  and  torture.  But  the  ordinary  life  of  the  hunt- 


46  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

er,  gratifying  his  natural  taste,  has  many  fascina 
tions.  This  is  evidenced  by  the  eagerness  with 
which  our  annual  tourists  leave  their  ceiled  chambers, 
in  the  luxurious  cities,  to  encamp  in  the  wilderness 
of  the  Adirondacks  or  the  Rocky  mountains.  There 
is  not  a  restaurant  in  the  Palais  Royal,  or  on  the 
Boulevards  which  can  furnish  such  a  repast  as  these 
men  often  find,  from  trout  which  they  have  taken 
from  the  brook,  and  game  which  their  own  rifles 
shot,  have  cooked  at  the  fires  which  their  own  hands 
have  kindled.  A  gentleman  who  spent  a  winter  in 
this  way,  in  the  green  and  sheltered  valleys  of  the 
Rocky  mountains,  writes : 

"  There  was  something  inexpressibly  exhilarating 
in  the  sensation  of  positive  freedom  from  all  worldly 
care,  and  a  consequent  expansion  of  the  sinews,  as 
it  were,  of  mind  and  body,  which  made  me  feel  as 
elastic  as  a  ball  of  India  rubber,  and  in  such  a  state 
of  perfect  ease  that  no  more  dread  of  scalping 
Indians  entered  my  mind,  than  if  I  had  been  sitting 
in  Broadway,  in  one  of  the  windows  of  the  Astor 
House.  The  very  happiest  moments  of  my  life  have 
been  spent  in  the  wilderness  of  the  Far  West,  with 
no  friend  near  me  more  faithful  than  my  rifle,  and  no 
companion  more  sociable  than  my  horse  and  mules. 

"With  a  plentiful  supply  of  pine  logs  on  the 
fire,  and  its  cheerful  blaze  streaming  far  up  into  the 


LIFE   IN    THE   WILDERNESS.  4; 

sky,  illuminating  the  valley  far  and  near,  and  ex 
hibiting  the  animals,  with  well  filled  bellies,  standing 
contentedly  over  their  picket-pins,  I  would  sit  enjoy 
ing  the  genial  warmth,  building  castles  in  the  air. 
Scarcely  ever  did  I  wish  to  exchange  such  hours  of 
freedom  for  all  the  luxuries  of  civilized  life.  Such 
are  the  fascinations  of  the  life  of  the  mountain 
hunter  that  I  believe  that  not  one  instance  could 
be  adduced  of  even  the  most  polished  and  civil 
ized  of  men,  who  had  once  tasted  the  sweets  of 
its  attendant  liberty  and  freedom  from  every  worldly 
care,  not  sighing  once  more  to  partake  of  its  pleas 
ures  and  allurements. 

"A  hunter's  camp  in  the  Rocky  mountains  is 
quite  a  picture.  It  is  invariably  made  in  a  pictur 
esque  locality.  Nothing  can  be  more  social  and 
cheering  than  the  welcome  blaze  of  the  camp  fire  on 
a  cold  winter's  night." 

Young  Carson,  alone  with  his  horse  and  mule, 
would  journey  from  fifty  to  a  hundred  miles,  examin 
ing  every  creek  and  stream,  keeping  a  sharp  lookout 
for  signs  of  beaver.  Having  selected  his  location, 
generally  in  some  valley  eight  or  ten  miles  in  extent, 
with  a  winding  stream  circling  through  the  centre, 
which  he  had  reason  to  believe  was  well  stocked  with 
beaver,  he  would  choose  a  position  for  his  camp. 
This  would  be  more  or  less  elaborate  in  its  construe- 


48  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

tion,  according  to  the  time  he  intended  to  spend 
there.  But  he  would  always  find  some  sunny  nook, 

with  a  southern  exposure  and  a  pleasing  prospect, 

• 
near  the  brook  or  some  spring  of  sweet  water,  and, 

if  possible,  with  forest  or  rock  sheltering  from  the 
north  winds. 

In  a  few  hours  young  Carson  would  construct  his 
half-faced  cabin,  as  the  hunting-camp  was  called.  A 
large  log  generally  furnished  the  foundation  of  the 
back  part  of  the  hut.  Four  stout  stakes  were  then 
planted  in  the  ground  so  as  to  inclose  a  space  about 
eight  feet  square.  These  stakes  were  crotched  at 
the  ends,  so  as  to  support  others  for  the  roof.  The 
front  was  about  five  feet  high,  the  back  not  more 
than  four.  The  whole  slope  of  the  roof  was  from 
the  front  to  the  back.  The  covering  was  made  of 
bark  or  slabs  and  sometimes  of  skins.  The  sides 
were  covered  in  a  similar  way.  The  whole  of  the 
front  was  open.  The  smooth  ground  floor  was 
strewed  with  fragrant  hemlock  branches,  over  which 
were  spread  blankets  or  buffalo  robes.  In  front  of 
the  opening  the  camp  fire  could  be  built,  or  on  the 
one  side  or  the  other,  in  accordance  with  the  wind. 

Thus  in  a  few  hours  young  Carson  would  erect 
him  a  home,  so  cosey  and  cheerful  in  its  aspect  as  to 
be  attractive  to  every  eye.  Reclining  upon  mat 
tresses  really  luxurious  in  their  softness,  he  could 


LIFE   IN   THE   WILDERNESS.  49 

bask  in  the  beams  of  the  sun,  circling  low  in  its 
winter  revolutions,  or  gaze  at  night  upon  the  brilliant 
stars,  and  not  unfrequently  have  spread  out  before 
him  an  extended  prospect  of  as  rich  natural  scenery 
as  ever  cheered  the  eye.  He  had  no  anxiety  about 
food.  His  hook  or  his  rifle  supplied  him  abundantly 
with  what  he  deemed  the  richest  viands.  He  knew 
where  were  the  tender  cuts.  He  knew  how  to  cook 
them  deliciously.  And  he  had  an  appetite  to  relish 
them. 

Having  thus  provided  himself  with  a  habitation, 
he  took  his  traps  and,  either  on  foot  or  on  horseback, 
as  the  character  of  the  region  or  the  distance  to  be 
traversed  might  render  best,  followed  along  the 
windings  of  the  stream  till  he  came  to  a  beaver  dam. 
He  would  examine  the  water  carefully  to  find  some 
shallow  which  the  beavers  must  pass  in  crossing 
from  shoal  to  deep  water.  Here  he  would  plant  his 
trap,  always  under  water,  and  carefully  adjust  the 
bait.  He  would  then  follow  on  to  another  dam,  and 
thus  proceed  till  six  traps  were  set,  which  was  the 
usual  number  taken  on  such  an  expedition. 

Early  every  morning  he  would  mount  his  horse 
or  mule  and  take  the  round  of  his  traps,  which  gene 
rally  required  a  journey  of  several  miles.  The 
captured  animals  were  skinned  on  the  spot,  and  the 
skins  only,  with  the  tails  which  the  hunters  deemed 
3 


50  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

a  great  luxury  as  an  article  of  food,  were  taken  to 
the  camp.  Then  the  skin  was  stretched  over  a  frame 
work  to  dry.  When  dry  it  was  folded  into  a  square 
sheet,  the  fur  turned  inward  and  a  bundle  made 
containing  from  ten  to  twenty  skins  tightly  pressed 
and  corded,  which  was  ready  for  transportation. 
These  skins  were  then  worth  about  eight  dollars  per 
pound. 

After  an  absence  of  three  or  four  weeks,  young 
Carson  would  return  with  his  treasures,  often  several 
hundred  dollars  in  value,  to  the  rendezvous  of  Mr. 
Ewing  Young  at  Taos.  Soon  again  he  would  set 
out  on  another  similar  expedition.  Thus  Carson 
passed  the  winter  of  1827. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Among  the  Trappers. 

The  Discomfited  Trappers. — The  New  Party  Organized. — A  Battle 
with  the  Indians. — Trapping  on  the  Colorado. — March  to  the 
Sacramento. — The  Friendly  Indians. — Crossing  the  Desert. — 
Instinct  of  the  Mule. — The  Enchanting  Valley  of  the  Colorado. — 
The  Mission  of  San  Gabriel. — Vast  Herds  of  Cattle. — The  Mis 
sion  of  San  Fernando. — Adventures  in  the  Valley  of  San  Joa- 
'quin. — The  Meeting  of  two  Trapping  Bands. — Reasons  for  Kit 
Carson's  Celebrity. — A  Military  Expedition. — The  Indian  Horse 
Thieves. — The  Pursuit  and  Capture. 

SOON  after  Carson  returned  to  the  cabin  of  Mr. 
Young  from  one  of  his  trapping  expeditions,  a  party 
of  trappers  came  back  who  had  set  out  to  explore 
the  valley  of  the  Colorado,  in  pursuit  of  furs.  At 
Taos  they  were  west  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  and 
the  route  which  they  were  to  take  led  them  still 
farther  in  a  northwest  direction,  a  distance  of ,  three 
or  four  hundred  miles.  It  was  known  that  the 
region  was  full  of  roving  Indians,  and  it  was  not 
doubted  that  the  savages,  if  they  saw  any  chance  of 
overpowering  the  trappers,  would  do  so,  and  seize 
their  effects,  which  to  the  Indians  would  prove  booty 
of  almost  inconceivable  value.  The  rifle  gave  the 


52  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

trappers  such  an  advantage  over  the  Indian,  with  his 
bow  and  arrows,  that  they  never  hesitated,  when  upon 
the  open  plain  in  encountering  almost  any  superiority 
of  numbers. 

This  party  of  eighteen  trappers,  with  their  horses 
and  heavily  laden  mules,  had  advanced  but  a  few 
days'  journey,  over  an  almost  unexplored  region, 
when  they  fell  in  with  a  powerful  tribe  of  Indians, 
who,  after  a  little  palaver,  seeing  their  weakness  in 
numbers  and  the  richness  of  their  treasure,  attacked 
them  with  great  fury.  The  Indians  had  adroitly 
selected  a  spot  where  they  could  fight  Indian  fashion, 
from  behind  trees  and  logs.  The  battle  lasted  a 
whole  day.  We  are  not  informed  how  many  of 
either  party  fell  in  the  fray.  But  the  Indians  seemed 
to  swarm  around  the  trappers  in  countless  numbers, 
and  the  white  men  were,  greatly  to  their  chagrin, 
driven  back  with  the  loss  of  several  mules. 

As  the  discomfited  party  returned  with  their  tale 
of  disaster,  the  ire  of  Mr.  Young  was  raised.  It  is 
a  comment  upon  the  number  of  men  then  roving  the 
wilderness,  that  Mr.  Young  was  in  a  short  time 
enabled  to  organize  another  party  of  forty  men,  to 
resume  the  enterprise.  It  was  a  motley  collection 
of  Spaniards,  Americans,  Mexicans  and  half-breeds. 
Proudly  this  powerful  band,  well  armed,  well  mounted 
and  with  heavily  laden  pack  mules,  commenced  its 


AMONG   THE   TRAPPERS.  53 

adventurous  march,  burning  with  the  desire  to 
avenge  the  insult  which  the  previous  expedition  had 
encountered. 

Mr.  Young  had  learned  highly  to  prize  the  capa 
bilities  of  young  Carson,  and  engaged  him  to  take  a 
prominent  position  in  this  company  on  its  hazardous 
tour.  After  a  march  of  about  a  hundred  miles,  they 
reached  the  region  occupied  by  the  Indians  who  had 
attacked  and  defeated  the  former  band.  The  sava 
ges,  flushed  by  success,  were  all  ready  to  renew  the 
conflict.  Mr.  Young  himself  was  the  leader  of  the 
party.  The  Indians,  by  their  gestures  and  shouts  of 
defiance,  gave  unmistakable  evidence  of  their  eager 
ness  for  the  fight. 

There  was  some  little  delay  as  both  parties  pre 
pared  for  the  deadly  strife.  Mr.  Young,  a  veteran 
in  the  tactics  of  the  forest,  posted  his  men  with 
great  sagacity.  He  had  forty,  as  we  have  mentioned, 
in  all.  Twenty-five  of  them  he  hid  in  ambush. 
With  the  other  fifteen  he  cautiously  advanced,  and 
at  length,  as  if  alarmed,  halted.  The  eminences  all 
in  front  of  them,  seemed  filled  with  the  plumed 
warriors.  The  previous  conflict  had  taught  them  the 
powers  of  the  deadly  rifle  bullet.  They  kept  at  a 
respectful  distance,  never  advancing  unless  protected 
by  some  tree  or  rock. 

But  there  were  hundreds  of  savages  almost  sur- 


54  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON 

rounding  the  little  band,  and  making  the  hills  and 
plains  resound  with  the  hideous  war-whoop.  When 
the  trappers  halted  and  began  slowly  to  draw  back, 
a  deafening  shout  arose  from  the  triumphant  foe,  and 
in  a  simultaneous  charge  they  advanced,  but  still 
cautiously,  not  venturing  near  enough  to  discharge 
their  arrows.  They  were  thus  drawn  along  into  the 
trap.  When  fairly  within  rifle  range,  twenty-five 
unerring  marksmen  from  their  concealment,  almost 
at  the  same  instant,  opened  a  death-dealing  volley 
upon  the  surprised  and  bewildered  warriors.  The 
slaughter  was  terrible  beyond  anything  they  had 
ever,  in  their  native  battles,  witnessed  before. 
Twenty-five  of  their  bravest  warriors,  for  the  bravest 
were  in  the  advance,  fell  dead  or  severely  wounded. 

The  Indians  were  thrown  into  an  utter  panic. 
The  thunder,  the  lightning,  and  the  death-bolts  had 
come  from  they  knew  not  where.  With  almost  the 
rapidity  of  thought  the  rifles  were  again  loaded  and 
the  whole  united  band  rushed  forward  upon  the 
Indians  who  were  now  flying  wildly  in  all  directions. 
Instinct  taught  them  to  perform  all  sorts  of  gyrations 
to  avoid  the  bullets  which  pursued  them.  They 
made  no  attempt  to  rally,  though  many  of  their 
proud  warriors  were  left  behind  lifeless,  or  struggling 
in  the  convulsions  of  death. 

The  power  of  the  rifle  was  such  that,  in  those 


AMONG  THE   TRAPPERS.  55 

days,  forty  or  fifty  men  never  hesitated  to  engage  a 
whole  tribe,  though  it  might  number  one  or  two 
thousand  warriors.  A  man  will  fight  with  terrible 
persistence  when  he  knows  that  defeat  is  inevitable 
death  by  torture.  It  is  a  thousandfold  better  to  fall 
beneath  the  arrow,  the  tomahawk  or  the  war-club, 
than  to  be  consumed  alive  amid  the  jeers  and  tor 
tures  of  yelling  Indians  inspired  with  demoniac 
instincts.  Thus  with  the  trapper  it  was  always  either 
victory  or  death. 

These  hostile  warriors  were  punished  with  a 
severity  never  to  be  forgotten.  The  fugitives  carried 
far  and  wide  to  other  roving  tribes  the  tidings  of 
their  disaster.  The  bold  trappers  proceeded  on  their 
way,  encountering  no  more  serious  molestation. 
Smoke  upon  the  distant  hills  indicated  that  their 
march  was  watched.  If  a  trap  was  set  at  any  dis 
tance  from  the  night's  encampment,  it  was  pretty 
surely  stolen.  Or  if  a  weary  mule  was  left  to  recruit, 
a  little  behind,  intending  to  bring  him  up  in  the 
morning,  before  the  dawn  he  disappeared. 

The  whole  party  followed  slowly  down  a  tributary 
of  the  Colorado  river,  very  successfully  trapping  upon 
the  main  stream  and  its  branches,  until  they  reached 
the  head  waters  of  the  San  Francisco  river.  They 
then  divided,  and  Mr.  Young  with  Carson  and  seven 
teen  others  proceeded  several  hundred  miles  farther 


$6  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

west,  to  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento.  Before  set 
ting  out  for  this  long  journey,  as  it  was  uncertain 
what  game  they  might  find  by  the  way,  two  or  three 
days  were  devoted  to  hunting.  The  skins  of  three 
deer  were  converted  into  water  tanks,  which  were 
without  difficulty  carried  by  the  mules.  They  were 
induced  to  this  caution  because  some  friendly  Indians 
had  assured  them  that  there  was  a  great  destitution 
of  water  by  the  way. 

On  their  march  they  encountered  a  tribe  of 
Indians  in  all  their  native  wildness.  They  were  very 
friendly  though  they  had  apparently  never  seen  a 
white  man  before.  Perhaps  their  friendliness  was 
because  they  had  never  yet  met  any  of  the  pale  faces, 
from  whom  they  subsequently  suffered  such  great 
wrongs.  These  Indians  presented  remarkably  fine 
specimens  of  the  physical  man.  They  were  tall, 
erect  and  admirably  proportioned.  Their  features 
were  European,  their  eyes  very  full  and  expressive, 
and  the  dress  of  men  and  women  simple  in  the  ex 
treme.  They  were  all  splendid  horsemen,  and  often 
as  they  entered  the  camp  at  full  speed  on  their 
spirited  chargers,  it  seemed  as  though  the  steed  and 
its  rider,  like  the  fabled  centaur,  were  but  one 
animal.  Their  bodies  were  painted  and  oiled  so  as 
to  resemble  highly  polished  mahogany. 

The  travellers   found  the  information  communi- 


AMONG  THE   TRAPPERS.  57 

cated  to  them  by  the  friendly  Indians  to  be  true. 
For  four  days  they  travelled  over  a  dreary,  sandy 
waste,  where  there  were  neither  streams  nor  springs. 
At  the  camping  place  each  night  there  was  given 
from  the  tanks,  a  small  amount  of  water  to  each 
animal  and  man,  but  only  enough  to  sustain 
life.  A  guard  was  set  over  the  rest,  for  should  any 
accident  befall  it  the  destruction  of  the  whole  party 
would  be  the  probable  consequence. 

As  they  were  toiling  along  the  fifth  day,  painfully 
through  the  sand,  the  mules  began  to  manifest  a 
strange  excitement.  They  pricked  up  their  ears, 
snuffed  the  air,  then  began  to  rush  forward  with  all 
the  speed  their  exhausted  strength  would  allow. 
The  sagacious  animals  had  scented  water  at  the  dis 
tance  of  nearly  a  mile.  It  was  a  clear  running 
stream,  fringed  with  grass  and  shrubs.  When  the 
first  mule  reached  the  water,  the  remainder  were 
scattered  for  a  great  distance  along  the  trail.  Here 
the  party  encamped  and  remained  for  two  days  to 
recruit. 

The  bags  of  deerskin  were  again  filled  with  water 
and  the  journey  was  resumed.  The  route  still  led 
over  a  similar  barren  region,  where  both  man  and 
beast  suffered  great  privations  from  the  want  of 
water.  On  the  fourth  day  they  came  in  sight  of  the 
splendid  valley  of  the  great  Colorado.  It  was  with 
3* 


58  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

a  thrill  of  delight  that  they  gazed  upon  its  verdure 
and  its  luxuriance,  which  were  an  hundredfold  en 
hanced  from  the  contrast  with  the  dreary  region 
which  they  had  just  traversed. 

In  their  march  of  eight  days  through  this  barren 
and  gameless  region,  their  provisions  had  become 
quite  exhausted.  They  chanced  to  come  across 
some  Indians  from  whom  they  purchased  an  old 
mare.  The  animal  was  promptly  cut  up,  cooked  and 
eaten  with  great  gusto.  They  also  obtained,  from 
the  same  Indians,  a  small  quantity  of  corn  and  beans. 
In  the  rich  meadows  of  the  Colorado  our  adventurers 
again  found  abundance.  They  spent  a  few  delight 
ful  days  here,  feasting,  trapping  and  hunting.  The 
animals  found,  for  them,  a  paradise  in  the  luxuriant 
pastures  of  wild  oats. 

Again  the  journey  to  the  west  was  resumed.  The 
account  we  have  of  their  movements  is  so  meagre 
that  it  is  impossible  to  follow  with  accuracy  the  route 
they  traversed.  They  followed  for  some  leagues  a 
river,  when  suddenly  its  waters  disappeared.  They 
apparently  sank  beneath  the  surface  of  the  quick 
sands.  Still  there  were  indications  which  enabled 
them  to  follow  the  course  of  the  river,  until  finally  it 
rose  again  above  the  surface,  and  in  the  open  air 
flowed  on  to  the  ocean. 

At  length  they  reached  the  celebrated  Catholic 


AMONG  THE   TRAPPERS.  59 

Mission  of  San  Gabriel,  near  the  Pacific  coast.  The 
Mission  was  then  in  a  flourishing  condition.  The 
statistics,  published  in  1829,  indicate  a  degree  of 
prosperity  which  seems  almost  incredible.  More 
than  a  thousand  Indians  were  attached  to  the  Mis 
sion,  and  were  laboring  in  its  widely-extended  fields, 
tending  its  herds  and  cultivating  the  soil.  The  poor 
Indians,  who  were  often  half  starved  upon  the  plains, 
found  here  light  employment,  shelter  and  abundant 
food.  The  statistics  to  which  we  refer,  state  that 
the  Mission  had  seventy  thousand  head  of  cattle, 
four  thousand  two  hundred  horses,  four  hundred 
mules,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  sheep. 

These  Missions,  several  of  which  were  established 
in  a  line,  within  about  fifty  miles  of  the  Pacific  coast, 
belonged  to  the  Spanish  government,  and  were  sup 
ported  by  the  revenues  of  the  crown.  Animals 
multiplied  with  great  rapidity  upon  those  luxuri 
ant  and  almost  boundless  prairies.  They  ranged 
sometimes,  it  was  said,  spreading  out  over  a  hun 
dred  thousand  acres  of  wonderfully  fertile  pastures. 
There  must  of  course,  have  been  much  guess-work 
in  estimating  the  numbers  of  these  vast  herds,  gene 
rally  wandering  unattended  at  their  pleasure.  But 
with  such  supplies  of  animal  and  vegetable  food 
there  was  no  fear  of  want.  The  indolent  Indians 
consequently  gathered  around  the  Missions  in  great 


60  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

numbers.  They  were  all  fond  of  show,  and  not 
unwillingly  became  such  Christians  as  consists  in 
attending  the  ceremonies  of  the  church. 

The  Mission,  with  its  buildings,  cultivated  fields 
and  vast  herds,  seemed  like  the  garden  of  Eden  to 
our  weary  travellers.  They  however,  remained  here 
but  one  day,  as  they  were  not  on  a  tour  of  pleasure 
but  in  pursuit  of  furs.  A  day's  travel  brought  them 
to  another  but  much  smaller  Mission,  called  San 
Fernando.  Without  any  delay  they  pushed  on 
towards  the  west,  their  object  being  to  enter  the 
valley  of  the  Sacramento  river,  where  they  had  been 
told  that  beavers  could  be  found  in  great  abundance. 
They  expected  to  reach  the  banks  of  this  now 
renowned,  but  then  scarcely  known  river,  after  axfew 
days'  journey  in  a  northeast  direction.  They  were 
now  in  a  delightful  region.  The  climate  was  charm 
ing.  Brooks  of  crystal  water,  and  well  filled  with 
fishes,  often  crossed  their  path.  There  was  abundant 
forage  for  their  cattle  ;  and  forest  and  prairie  seemed 
alive  with  game.  i 

They  soon  reached  the  banks  of  the  San  Joaquin, 
a  lovely  stream  flowing  northerly  and  emptying  into 
the  Sacramento  near  its  mouth.  There,  finding  a 
very  eligible  camping  site,  and  many  indications  of 
beaver  in  the  stream,  Mr.  Young  halted  his  party, 
to  rest  for  a  few  days,  and  in  the  meantime  to  set 


AMONG  THE   TRAPPERS.  6  I 

their  traps.  The  general  character  of  the  scenery 
around  them  may  be  inferred  from  Mr.  Bryant's 
description  of  a  similar  encampment  in  his  overland 
journey  to  California. 

"  Finding  here  an  abundance  of  grass,  we  remain 
ed  the  following  day  for  the  benefit  of  our  animals. 
The  valley  was  probably  fifteen  miles  in  length,  with 
a  variable  width  of  two  or  three  miles.  It  was  a 
delightful  spot.  Wild  plants  grew  in  profusion, 
many-hued  flowers  studded  its  surface,  and  silvery 
streams,  bordered  by  luxuriant  verdure  and  shrubs, 
were  winding  through  it.  On  both  sides  the  moun 
tains  towered  up  by  continuous  elevations  of  several 
thousand  feet,  exhibiting  a  succession  of  rich  vege 
tation,  and  then  craggy  and  sterile  cliffs,  capped  by 
virgin  snow,  the  whole  forming  a  landscape  of  rare 
combinations  of  the  beautiful  and  sublime." 

After  a  short  rest  the  trappers  continued  their 
journey  slowly,  setting  their  traps  on  the  San  Joa- 
quin  and  its  tributaries.  Pretty  soon,  much  to  their 
surprise,  they  saw  indications  that  there  was  another 
band  trapping  on  the  same  streams.  In  a  short  time 
they  met,  and  it  was  found  that  the  other  party 
belonged  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Company,  and  was 
commanded  by  Peter  Ogden. 

It  is  pleasant  to  record  that  the  two  parties, 
instead  of  fighting  each  other  as  rivals,  cordially 


62  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

fraternized.  For  several  weeks  they  trapped  near 
together,  often  meeting  and  ever  interchanging  the 
courtesies  of  brotherly  kindness.  These  men  were 
from  Canada.  They  were  veterans  in  the  profession 
of  hunting  and  trapping,  having  long  been  in  the 
employment  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company,  and 
having  served  a  regular  apprenticeship  to  prepare 
them  for  their  difficult  aud  arduous  employment. 
Here  again  the  peculiarity  of  Kit  Carson's  character 
was  developed.  Instead  of  assuming  that  he  knew 
all  that  was  to  be  known  about  the  wilderness,  and 
the  business  in  which  he  was  engaged,  he  lost  no 
opportunity  of  acquiring  all  the  information  he  could 
from  these  strangers.  He  questioned  them  very 
carefully,  and  his  experience  was  such  as  to  enable 
him  to  ask  just  such  questions  as  were  most  impor 
tant. 

There  is  scarcely  a  man  in  America  who  has  not 
heard  the  name  of  Kit  Carson.  No  man  can  make 
his  name  known  among  the  forty  millions  of  this 
continent,  unless  there  be  something  extraordinary 
in  his  character  and  achievements.  Kit  Carson  was 
an  extraordinary  character.  His  wide-spread  fame 
was  not  the  result  of  accident.  His  achievements 
were  not  merely  impulsive  movements.  He  was  a 
man  of  pure  mind,  of  high  morality,  and  intensely 
devoted  to  the  life-work  which  he  had  chosen.  His 


AMONG  THE  TRAPPERS.  6$ 

studies  during  the  winter  in  the  cabin  of  Kin  Cade, 
had  made  him  a  proficient  in  the  colloquial  Spanish 
language.  This  proved  to  him  an  invaluable  acqui 
sition.  He  had  also  gathered  and  stored  away  in  his 
retentive  memory  all  that  this  veteran  ranger  of  the 
woods  could  communicate  respecting  the  geography 
of  the  Far  West,  the  difficulties  to  be  encountered 
and  the  mode  of  surmounting  them.  And  now  he 
was  learning  everything  that  could  be  learned  from 
these  Canadian  boatmen  and  rangers. 

Already  young  Carson  had  attained  eminence. 
It  was  often  said,  "  No  matter  what  happens,  Kit 
Carson  always  knows  at  the  moment  exactly  what  is 
best  to  be  done." 

Both  as  a  hunter  and  a  trapper,  though  he  had 
not  yet  attained  the  age  of  manhood,  he  was 
admitted  to  be  the  ablest  man  in  the  party.  And 
his  native  dignity  of  person  and  sobriety  of  mariners 
commanded  universal  respect.  In  this  lovely  valley 
both  parties  lived,  as  trappers,  luxuriously.  They 
were  very  successful  with  their  traps.  And  deer,  elk 
and  antelope  were  roving  about  in  such  thousands, 
that  any  number  could  be  easily  taken.  These  were 
indeed  the  sunny,  festival  days  of  our  adventurers. 

The  two  united  parties,  trapping  all  the  way, 
followed  down  the  valley  of  San  Joaquin  to  the  Sac 
ramento.  Here  they  separated.  The  Hudson  Bay 


64  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

Company  set  out  for. the  Columbia  river.  Mr.  Young 
and  his  party  remained  to  trap  in  the  valley  of  the 
Sacramento.  At  this  time  an  event  occurred  which 
again  illustrates  the  fearlessness,  sagacity  and  energy 
of  Kit  Carson. 

Not  very  far  from  their  encampment  there  was 
the  Catholic  Mission  of  San  Rafael.  Some  Indians 
belonging  to  that  Mission,  after  committing  sundry 
atrocities,  fled,  and  took  refuge  in  a  distant  Indian 
village.  It  was  deemed  important,  in  order  that  the 
Indians  might  be  held  under  salutary  restraint,  that 
such  a  crime  should  not  go  unpunished.  A  force 
was  sent  to  demand  the  surrender  of  the  fugitives. 
But  the  Indians  assumed  a  hostiFe  attitude,  refused 
to  give  up  the  criminals,  and  fiercely  attacking  the 
Mission  party,  drove  them  back  with  loss. 

The  Mission  applied  to  the  trappers  for  assistance. 
The  request  was  promptly  granted.  Such  a  victory 
wonld  puff  up  the  Indians,  render  them  insolent,  and 
encourage  them  to  make  war  upon  other  parties  of 
the  whites.  Eleven  volunteers  were  selected  for 
the  expedition,  and  the  young  and  fragile  Kit  Car 
son  was  entrusted  with  the  command.  In  manners 
he  was  gentle  as  a  girl,  with  a  voice  as  soft  as  that 
of  a  woman.  He  had  no  herculean  powers  of  mus 
cle,  but  he  had  mind,  mental  powers  which  had  been 
developed  in  a  hundred  emergencies.  And  these 


AMONG  THE   TRAPPERS.  65 

stout,  hardy  veterans  of  the  wilderness  seem  with 
one  accord  to  have  decided  that  he  was  the  fitting 
one  to  lead  them  into  battle,  where  they  were  to 
encounter  perhaps  hundreds  of  savage  warriors. 

Cautiously  Kit  Carson  led  his  little  band  so  as  to 
approach  the  Indian  village  unperceived.  At  a  given 
signal  they  raised  the  war-whoop  and  impetuously 
charged  into  the  cluster  of  wigwams.  As  the  terri 
fied  warriors  rushed  out  of  the  huts,  all  unprepared 
for  battle,  these  unerring  marksmen  laid  them  low. 
One-third  of  the  warriors  were  slain.  The  rest  fled 
in  dismay.  The  village  was  captured  with  the 
women  and  the  children.  The  victorious  Carson 
then  demanded  the  immediate  surrender  of  the 
criminals.  The  next  day  they  were  brought  in, 
strongly  bound,  and  delivered  to  the  Mission.  With 
his  heroic  little  band  Kit  Carson  returned  to  the 
encampment,  apparently  unconscious  that  he  had 
performed  any  unusual  feat. 

The  trappers  purchased  of  the  Mission  sixty 
horses,  paying  for  them  in  beaver  skins,  which  always 
had  a  cash  value.  These  horses  were  indispensable 
to  the  trapper.  It  required  a  large  number  to  carry 
the  packs  of  a  successful  trapping  party.  It  would 
be  impossible  for  the  trappers  to  transport  the  packs 
upon  their  own  backs.  A  party  of  forty  trappers 
would  need  each  a  horse  to  ride.  Then  generally 


66  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

each  man  led  a  spare  horse,  lest  the  one  he  rode 
should  break  a  limb  or  in  any  other  way  give  out  in 
the  midst  of  the  wilderness.  If  the  expedition  were 
successful,  each  trapper  would  have  three  or  four 
horses  or  mules  to  lead  or  drive,  laden  with  the 
packs  of  skins,  the  traps,  camping  utensils  and  a 
supply  of  food  for  an  emergency.  Thus  a  party  of 
forty  men  would  sometimes  be  accompanied  by 
more  than  two  hundred  horses.  Horses  were  cheap, 
and  their  food  on  the  rich  prairies  cost  nothing. 
But  it  was  necessary  to  guard  the  animals  with  the 
greatest  care,  for  the  Indians  were  continually 
watching  for  opportunities  to  steal  them. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Young,  whose  party  it  will  be  re 
membered  now  consisted  of  eighteen  men,  had  made 
his  purchase  of  horses,  in  preparation  for  a  return, 
as  the  animals  were  feeding  on  the  open  prairie,  a 
band  of  Indians  succeeded  one  night  in  stealing  sixty 
of  them,  and  with  their  booty,  like  the  wind  they 
fled  towards  the  valleys  of  the  Snow  mountains. 
Such  a  cavalcade  of  horses  in  one  band,  travelling 
over  the  turf  of  the  prairie,  would  leave  a  trail  behind 
which  could  easily  be  followed.  The  number  of  the 
Indian  thieves  was  not  known,  though  the  boldness 
of  the  robbery  and  their  tracks  indicated  that  the 
band  must  have  been  large. 

Twelve  men  were  immediately  detached  to  pur- 


AMONG  THE   TRAPPERS.  / 

sue  the  gang.  Young  Carson  was  then  appointed 
leader.  There  were  but  fourteen  horses  left  in  the 
camp.  Carson,  having  mounted  his  twelve  men,  had 
the  other  two  horses  led,  to  meet  any  emergency. 
Vigorously  the  pursuit  was  pressed.  There  was  no 
difficulty  in  keeping  the  track.  The  Indian  with  all 
his  cunning  was  never  the  equal  of  the  far  more  in 
telligent  white  man.  Indeed  the  ordinary  savage 
was  often  but  a  grown  up-child. 

For  more  than  one  hundred  miles  Carson  contin 
ued  his  pursuit  before  he  came  up  with  the  robbers. 
They  had  already  entered  the  green  valleys  of  the 
Snowy  mountains.  The  eagle  eye  of  the  pursuer 
saw  some  smoke  circling  up  in  the  distance.  No  or 
dinary  eye  would  have  perceived  it.  Immediately 
he  dismounted  his  men,  and  tethered  the  horses. 
The  rifles  were  carefully  examined,  that  every  one 
might  be  loaded,  primed,  and  in  perfect  order.  The 
band  then  cautiously  pressed  forward,  led  by  their 
boy  captain,  till  they  came  to  the  entrance -of  a  wild 
but  lovely  glen,  where  at  the  distance  of  perhaps  a 
mile,  they  saw  these  savage  warriors,  enjoying  all 
the  luxury  of  a  barbaric  encampment.  A  mountain 
stream,  rippled  through  the  valley.  The  horses  were 
grazing  in  the  rich  pasture.  The  thieves  had  killed 
six  of  the  fat  young  horses,  and  having  cooked  them 
and  feasted  to  utter  repletion,  were  lounging  around, 


68  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

basking  in  the  sun,  in  the  fullness  of  savage  felicity. 
Little  were  they  aware  of  the  tempest  of  destruction 
and  death  about  to  burst  upon  them. 

The  Indians  could  not  have  chosen  a  more  de 
lightful  spot  for  their  encampment  and  their  feast. 
Neither  could  they  have  selected  a  spot  more  favor 
able  for  the  unseen  approach  of  the  pursuers.  But 
the  savages,  having  accomplished  more  than  a  hun 
dred  miles,  deemed  themselves  perfectly  safe. 

Carson  carefully  reconnoitred  the  position,  gave 
minute  directions  to  his  men,  and  they  all,  with  the 
noiseless,  stealthy  movement  of  the  panther,  worked 
their  way  along  until  they  were  within  rifle  distance 
of  their  foes.  Every  man  selected  his  victim  and 
took  deliberate  aim.  The  signal  was  given.  The 
discharge  was  .simultaneous.  Twelve  bullets  struck 
twelve  warriors.  Most  of  them  dropped  instantly 
dead.  Almost  with  the  rapidity  of  thought  the  rifles 
were  loaded,  and  the  little  band  rushed  upon  the 
bewildered,  terror-stricken,  bleeding  savages.  The 
Indians  scattered  in  every  direction.  Eight  were 
killed  outright.  Carson  had  no  love  of  slaughter. 
Many  more,  in  their  flight,  might  have  been  struck 
by  the  bullet ;  but  they  were  allowed  to  escape.  All 
the  horses  were  recovered  excepting  the  six  which 
the  Indians  had  killed. 

Great  was  the.  rejoicing  in  the   camp  when  the 


AMONG  THE  TRAPPERS.  69 

victorious  party  returned  so  abundantly  successful. 
One  of  the  annalists  of  this  extraordinary  man  speak 
ing  of  the  enterprise,  very  truthfully  writes : 

"  Carson,  though  at  that  day  a  youth  in  years  and 
experience,  had  risen  rapidly  in  the  estimation  of  all, 
and  had  excited  the  admiration  and  enlisted  the 
confidence  of  the  entire  band.  When  called  upon  to 
add  his  counsel,  concerning  any  doubtful  enterprise, 
his  masterly  foresight  and  shrewdness,  as  well  as 
clearness  in  attending  to  details,  gave  him  willing 
auditors. 

"  But  it  was  the  modest  deportment  he  invariably 
wore,  which  won  for  him  the  love  of  his  associates. 
Kit  Carson's  power  in  quickly  conceiving  the  safest 
plan  of  action  in  difficult  emergencies,  and  his  brav 
ery,  which  in  his  youth,  sometimes  amounted  to  rash 
ness,  caused  his  companions  to  follow  his  leadership. 
His  courage,  promptitude,  self-reliance,  caution,  sym 
pathy  and  care  for  the  wounded,  marked  him  at  once 
as  the  master  mind.  Like  the  great  Napoleon,  when 
he  joined  the  army  for  his  first  campaign,  he  was  a 
hero,  in  spite  of  his  youth,  among  men  grown  grey 
with  experience.'' 

The  highest  style  of  manhood,  the  most  attractive 
character  is  that  in  which  the  mildness  and  the  deli 
cacy  of  the  woman  is  combined  with  the  energy  and 
the  fearlessness  of  the  man.  In  Kit  Carson  we  witness 


70  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

a  wonderful  combination  of  these  two  qualities.  An 
acquaintance  of  the  writer,  who  spent  many  years  of 
his  early  life  roving  through  the  wilderness  of  the  far 
West,  and  who  had  often  met  Kit  Carson,  said  he 
never  heard  an  oath  from  his  lips.  Even  the  rude 
and  profane  trappers  around  him  could  appreciate 
the  superior  dignity  of  such  a  character. 

Rev.  Dr.  Bushnell,  speaking  of  the  region  in 
which  our  trappers  were  engaged,  says,  "  Middle 
California,  lying  between  the  head  waters  of  the  two 
great  rivers,  and  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  or  five 
hundred  miles  long  from  north  to  south,  is  divided 
lengthwise  parallel  to  the  coast,  into  three  strips  or 
ribbons  of  about  equal  width.  First  the  coastwise 
region  comprising  two,  three,  and  sometimes  four 
parallel  tiers  of  mountains,  from  five  hundred  to  four 
thousand,  five  thousand  or  even  ten  thousand  feet 
high.  Next,  advancing  inward  we  have  a  middle 
strip,  from  fifty  to  seventy  miles  wide,  of  almost  dead 
plain,  which  is  called  the  great  valley;  down  the 
scarcely  perceptible  slopes  of  which  from  north  to 
south,  and  south  to  north  run  the  two  great  rivers, 
the  Sacramento  and  the  San  Joaquin,  to  join  their 
waters  at  the  middle  of  the  basin,  and  pass  off  to 
the  sea.  The  third  long  strip  or  ribbon  is  the 
slope  of  the  Snowy  mountain  chain  which  bound 


AMONG  THE   TRAPPERS.  71 

the  great  valley  on  the  East,  and  contains  in  its  foot 
hills,  or  rather  its  lower  half,  all  the  gold  mines." 

It  was  in  this  middle  region  called  The  Great  Val 
ley,  that  Mr.  Young  and  his  trappers  pursued  their 
vocation.  They  commenced  far  south,  at  the  head 
waters  of  the  San  Joaquin,  and  trapped  down  that 
stream,  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles.  They  then  struck  the  greater  flood  of  the 
Sacramento,  and  followed  up  that  stream  nearly 
three  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  They  had  now 
obtained  furs  enough  to  load  down  all  the  horses  and 
mules  at  their  disposal.  They  prepared  to  return  to 
Santa  Fe,  where  they  were  sure  of  a  ready  market 
for  their  furs,  which  would  be  sent  to  Europe  for 
their  final  sale. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Conflicts  with  the  Indians. 

The  American  Trapper. — The  Trapper  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com 
pany. — The  Return  Trip. — Polished  Life  in  the  Wilderness. — 
The  Spanish  Gentlemen. — Council  of  the  Trappers. — Self-pos 
session  of  Kit  Carson. — The  Camp  Cleared  of  Intruders. — Rob 
bing  the  Robbers. — Sale  of  the  Furs. — Mr.  Fitzpatrick's  Expe 
dition. — Pains  and  Pleasures  of  Rocky  Mountain  Life. — Pursuit 
of  Indian  Horse  Thieves. — Extraordinary  Battle. 

IN  the  last  chapter  we  have  alluded  to  the 
friendly  meeting,  in  the  valley  of  San  Joaquin,  of 
the  American  trappers  with  a  party  from  Canada, 
sent  put  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  It  is  a 
remarkable  fact,  but  one  which  all  will  admit,  that 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  maintained  far  more 
friendly  relations  with  the  Indians  than  the  Ameri 
cans  secured.  In  fact,  they  seldom  had  any  difficulty 
with  them  whatever.  The  following  reasons  seem 
quite  satisfactorily  to  explain  this  difference.  It  is 
said : 

"  The  American  trapper  was  not  like  the  Hud 
son's  Bay  employees,  bred  to  the  business.  Oftener 
than  any  other  way  he  was  some  wild  youth  who, 


CONFLICTS  WITH   THE  INDIANS.  73 

after  some  misdemeanor  in  the  society  of  his  native 
place,  sought  safety  from  reproach  or  punishment  in 
the  wilderness.  Or  he  was  some  disappointed  man, 
who  with  feelings  embittered  towards  his  fellows, 
preferred  the  seclusion  of  the  forest  and  mountain. 
Many  were  of  a  class  disreputable  everywhere,  who 
gladly  embraced  a  life  not  subject  to  social  laws.  A 
few  were  brave,  independent  and  hardy  spirits,  who 
delighted  in  the  hardships  and  wild  adventures  their 
calling  made  necessary.  All  these  men,  the  best 
with  the  worst,  were  subject  to  no  will  but  their 
own.  And  all  experience  goes  to  prove  that  a  life 
of  perfect  liberty  is  apt  to  degenerate  into  a  life  of 
license. 

"  Even  their  own  lives,  and  those  of  their  com 
panions,  when  it  depended  upon  their  own  prudence, 
were  but  lightly  considered.  The  constant  presence 
of  danger  made  them  reckless.  It  is  easy  to  con 
ceive  how,  under  these  circumstances,  the  natives 
and  the  foreigners  grew  to  hate  each  other,  in  the 
Indian  country,  especially  after  the  Americans  came 
to  the  determination  to  "  shoot  an  Indian  at  sight." 

"  On  the ,  other  hand,  the  employees  of  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  were  many  of  them  half- 
breeds,  or  full-blooded  Indians  of  the  Iroquois 
nation,  towards  whom  nearly  all  the  tribes  were 
kindly  disposed.  Even  the  Frenchmen,  who  trapped 
4 


74  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

for  this  Company,  were  well  liked  by  the  Indians  on 
account  of  their  suavity  of  manner,  and  the  ease 
with  which  they  adapted  themselves  to  savage  life. 
They  were  trained  to  the  life  of  a  trapper,  were 
subject  to  the  will  of  the  Company,  and  were  gene 
rally  just  and  equitable  in  their  dealing  with  the 
Indians.  Most  of  them  also  had  native  wives,  and 
half-breed  children,  and  were  regarded  as  relatives. 
There  was  a  wide  difference." 

It  was  the  month  of  September  when  Mr.  Young 
and  his  party  set  out  on  their  return.  The  home 
ward  route  was  essentially  the  same  which  they  had 
already  traversed.  They  made  a  brief  visit  at  the 
Mission  of  San  Fernando,  and  then  pressed  on  to  the 
flourishing  Mission  village  of  Los  Angelos.  This 
City  of  the  Angels,  as  it  was  called,  from  the  salubrity 
of  the  climate  and  the  beauty  of  the  scenery,  was  on 
a  small  river  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  miles  south 
east  from  the  present  site  of  San  Francisco. 

Here  Mr.  Carson  was  introduced  to  a  scene  of 
refined  and  polished  life,  such  as  he  had  never  wit 
nessed  before.  He  was  informed  that  a  Spanish 
gentleman  of  wealth  was  residing,  at  the  distance  of 
a  few  miles,  on  one  of  the  most  highly  cultivated 
farms  in  the  country.  Young  Carson,  who  never 
allowed  any  opportunity  of  extcnding'his  knowledge 
to  escape  him,  dressed  himself  carefully  in  his  best 


CONFLICTS   WITH    THE   INDIANS.  75 

apparel,  mounted  a  fine  horse,  well  caparisoned,  and 
set  out  to  pay  the  Spaniard  a  visit. 

He  reached  the  ranche,  as  the  farm  was  called, 
dismounted  at  a  wicket  gate,  and  having  fastened  his 
horse,  walked  up  several  rods,  over  a  gravelled-walk, 
and  beneath  an  avenue  of  trees,  with  occasional 
clumps  of  shrubs  and  flowers,  until  he  reached  the 
residence.  It  consisted  of  a  spacious  one  story  edi 
fice,  built  of  sun-baked  bricks,  called  adobe.  The 
dwelling  was  a  hundred  feet  long,  and  the  roof  was 
rendered  impenetrable  to  rain,  being  covered  with  a 
thick  coating  of  asphaltum,  mingled  with  sand.  There 
was  a  spring  of  this  valuable  pitchy  substance  near 
the  village  ;  and  the  roofs  of  all  the  houses  in  Los 
Angelos  were  similarly  covered. 

A  huge  brass  knocker  was  attached  to  the  door. 
In  response  to  its  summons,  an  Indian  girl  made  her 
appearance,  and  ushered  him  into  an  elegantly  fur 
nished  parlor.  There  were  several  guitars  lying  about, 
with  other  indications  that  there  were  ladies  in  the 
household.  Soon  the  gentlemanly  owner  of  the 
farm  appeared,  in  morning  gown  and  slippers.  He 
was  a  fine  looking  man,  of  dignified  address,  and 
courteously  he  saluted  the  stranger. 

There  was  a  native  air  of  refinement  about  Kit 
Carson,  with  his  highly  intellectual  features,  and  his 
modest,  self-possessed  bearing,  which  seemed  always 


76  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

to  win,  at  sight,  interest  and  confidence.  •  Carson  in 
troduced  himself  as  an  American,  though  he  spoke 
in  the  Spanish  language.  His  host,  evidently  much 
pleased  with  his  guest,  replied  in  English,  saying: 

"  I  address  you  in  your  native  tongue,  which  I 
presume  is  agreeable  to  you,  though  you  speak  very 
good  Spanish/' 

The  parties  were  immediately  on  the  most  friend 
ly  terms.  Carson  sought  information  which  the 
Spanish  gentleman  was  able  and  happy  to  give.  It 
was  an  early  hour  in  the  morning.  Carson  was  in 
vited  to  remain  to  breakfast,  and  was  soon  conducted 
to  the  breakfast-room,  where  he  was  introduced  to 
the  wife  of  his  host,  and  se.veral  sons  and  daughters. 

There  was  no  restraint  in  conversation,  as  both 
parties  could  speak,  with  equal  apparent  facility,  the 
Spanish  and  the  English.  There  was  a  young  gentle 
man  from  Massachusetts,  a  graduate  from  a  New 
England  college,  who  was  private  tutor  in  the  family. 
After  breakfast  the  stranger  was  conducted  around 
the  farm,  and  to  the  vineyard. 

"  I  have  more  grapes,"  said  the  host,  "  than  I 
know  what  to  do  with.  Last  year  I  made  more  butts 
of  wine  than  I  could  dispose  of,  and  dried  five  thou 
sand  pounds  of  raisins.  I  have  travelled  through 
Europe,  and  I  think  that  neither  the  valley  of  the 
Rhine  nor  the  Tagus  can  produce  such  grapes  as  ours. 


CONFLICTS    WITH    THE   INDIANS.  77 

I  think  that  the  Los  Angelos  grape  is  indeed  food 
for  angels.  They  are  equal  to  the  grapes  of  Eschol. 
You  remember  the  heavy  clusters  that  were  found 
there,  so  that  two  men  carried  one  on  a  pole  resting 
upon  their  shoulders.  See  that  vine  now.  It  is  six 
inches  in  diameter.  And  yet  it  needs  a  prop  to  sus 
tain  the  weight  of  the  two  clusters  of  grapes  which  it 
bears." 

"  I  have  more  oranges/'  he  said,  u  than  I  can 
either  use  or  give  away.  This  is  the  finest  country 
the  sun  shines  upon.  We  can  live  luxuriously  upon 
just  what  will  grow  on  our  own  farms.  But  we  can 
not  get  rich.  Our  cattle  will  only  bring  the  value  of 
the  hides.  Our  horses  are  of  little  worth,  for  there 
are  plenty  running  wild,  which  a  good  huntsman  can 
take  with  a  lasso.  I  think  that  we  shall  have  the 
Americans  with  us  before  many  years,  and,  for  my 
part,  I  hope  we  shall.  The  idea  of  the  Californians 
generally,  as  well  as  other  Mexicans,  that  the  Ameri 
cans  are  too  shrewd  for  them,  is  true  enough.  But  cer 
tainly  there  is  plenty  of  room  for  a  large  population, 
and  I  should  prefer  that  the  race  that  has  most  enter 
prise  should  come  and  cultivate  the  country  with  us." 

Thus  the  conversation  continued  for  two  hours. 
Young  Carson  modestly  suggested  that  it  would  be 
better  if  the  Spaniards  were  less  cruel  in  breaking  in 
their  horses. 


78  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

"  Your  horses,''  said  he,  "  would  make  excellent 
buffalo  hunters  with  proper  training.  I  have  some 
horses  at  camp,  that  I  intend  shall  see  buffalo.  But 
why  do  you  not  deal  gently  with  them  when  they 
are  first  caught?  You  might  thus  preserve  all  the 
spirit  they  have  in  the  herd.  Pardon  me,  but  I  think 
that  in  taming  your  horses  you  break  their  spirits." 

"  I  sometimes  think  so  too,"  the  Spanish  gentle 
man  replied.  "  We  mount  one  just  caught  from  the 
drove,  and  ride  him  until  he  becomes  gentle  from 
exhaustion.  Our  custom  is  brought  from  Spain.  It 
answers  well  enough  with  us,  where  our  horses  go  in 
droves ;  and  when  one  is  used  up,  we  turn  him  out 
and  take  up  another." 

When  young  Carson  took  his  leave,  the  Spaniard, 
with  true  Castilian  courtesy,  pressed  his  hand,  thanked 
him  for  his  visit,  and  promised  to  return  it  at  the 
camp.  It  was  thus  instinctively  that  Kit  Carson, 
naturally  a  gentleman,  took  his  position  among  gen 
tlemen. 

In  the  meantime  most  of  the  rude  trappers,  seem 
ing  to  be  almost  of  a  different  nature  from  Kit  Car 
son,  were  indulging  in  a  drunken  carouse  at  Los 
Angelos.  They  got  into  a  brawl  with  the  Mexicans. 
Knives  were  drawn,  wounds  inflicted,  and  one  Mexi 
can  was  killed. 

It  became  necessary  to  get  these  men  away  as 


CONFLICTS   WITH  THE  INDIANS.  79 

soon  as  possible.  Carson  was  sent  forward  a  day's 
march,  with  all  who  could  be  collected.  The 
next  day  Mr.  Young  followed,  having  with  much 
difficulty  gathered  the  remainder  of  the  band.  Soon 
the  party  was  reunited,  and  the  men  were  recovered 
from  their  shameful  debauch.  Then  for  nine  days 
they  vigorously  continued  their  march  homeward, 
when  they  again  reached  the  banks  of  the  Colorado 
river,  not  far  from  the  spot  where  they  had  crossed  it 
before. 

Here  they  encamped  for  a  few  days,  while  most 
of  the  men  ranged  the  stream  for  many  miles  up  and 
down,  still  very  successfully  setting  their  traps.  Car 
son,  with  half  a  dozen  men,  was  left  to  guard  the 
camp.  It  was  a  responsible  position.  Nearly  all  the 
horses  were  there,  and  all  the  treasures  of  furs  which 
they  had  gathered  in  their  long  and  laborious  excur 
sion.  As  the  animals  were  turned  out  to  graze,  the 
packs, which  were  taken  from  them,  were  arranged 
in  a  circular  form  so  as  to  enclose  quite  a  space,  like 
a  fortress.  These  bundles  of  furs  not  even  a  bullet 
could  penetrate.  Thus  Kit  Carson  reared  for  himself 
and  men  a  rampart,  as  General  Jackson  protected  his 
troops  with  cotton  bags  a.t  New  Orleans. 

Scarcely  was  this  work  completed,  when  a  band 
of  five  hundred  Indians  was  seen  approaching.  As 
usual,  they  stopped  at  a  short  distance  from  the 


8O  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

fortified  camp,  and  a  few  of  the  warriors,  laying 
aside  their  arms  and  expressing  by  words  and  ges 
tures  the  utmost  friendliness,  came  forward  and  were 
admitted  into  the  camp.  They  were  followed  by 
others.  Soon  there  were  enough  stalwart  savages 
there  easily  to  overpower,  in  a  hand-to-hand  fight,  the 
feeble  garrison  of  but  six  men.  Carson's  suspicions 
were  excited,  and  watching  their  movements  with  an 
eagle  eye,  he  soon  discovered  that  they  all  had  con 
cealed  weapons. 

Without  the  slightest  apparent  alarm  he  quietly 
summoned  his  men,  with  their  rifles,  into  one  corner 
of  the  enclosure.  Then  in  his  usual  soft  voice  he 
directed  each  man  to  take  deliberate  aim  at  some  one 
of  the  prominent  chiefs.  He  himself  presented  the 
muzzle  of  his  rifle  within  a  few  yards  of  the  head  of 
the  leader  of  the  now  astonished  and  affrighted 
party.  This  was  all  the  work  of  a  moment.  Then 
calmly  he  said  to  the  leader, <{  leave  this  fort  instantly 
or  you  are  dead  men."  A  moment  of  hesitation  on 
their  part,  a  word  of  parleying  would  have  been 
followed  by  the  simultaneous  discharge  of  the  rifles, 
and  six  of  the  warriors  at  least,  would  have  been 
numbered  with  the  dead.  In  a  moment  the  fort  was 
cleared,  and  the  savages  did  not  stop  until  they  had 
got  beyond  the  reach  of  rifle  bullets. 

One  of  these  Indians  could  speak  Spanish.     Thus 


CONFLICTS   WITH   THE   INDIANS.  8 1 

Kit  Carson  again  found  tfre  inestimable  advantage 
of  his  winter's  studies  in  the  cabin  of  Kin  Cade. 
The  Indians,  five  hundred  in  number,  might  easily, 
at  the  expense  of  the  loss"  of  a  few  lives,  have  over 
powered  the  white  men,  and  seized  all  their  animals 
and  their  goods.  But  Carson  well  knew  their  habits, 
and  that  they  would  never  hazard  a  contest  where 
they  must  with  certainty  expect  a  number  of  their 
own  warriors  to  be  slain.  Friendly  relations  were 
opened  with  the  Indians,  only  two  or  three  being 
admitted  to  the  fort  at  a  time.  The  animals  were 
tethered  in  the  rich  herbage  within  the  protection 
of  their  rifles  and  were  carefully  watched,  night  and 
day. 

In  a  few  days  the  men  who  had  left  the  camp  on 
a  trapping  expedition,  returned.  The  whole  united 
company  then  followed  down  the  south  bank  of  the 
Colorado,  setting  their  traps  every  night,  until  they 
reached  its  tide  waters.  From  that  point  they 
struck  over  east  to  the  river  Gila,  and  trapped  up 
the  western  banks  of  that  river  until  they  reached 
the  mouth  of  the  San  Pedro,  a  distance  of  more 
than  two  hundred  miles. 

Their  animals  now  were  very  heavily  laden  with 
furs,  and  they  were  in  great  need  of  more  beasts  of 
burden.  The  following  is  the  account  which  is  given 
of  the  manner  in  which  they  obtained  a  supply.  It 


4* 


82  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

certainly  looks  very  suspicious.  It  is  not  improbable 
that  the  Indians,  had  they  any  historians,  would  give 
a  very  different  version  of  the  story. 

"  Near  the  mouth  of  the  San  Pedro  river  they 
discovered  a  large  herd  of  horses  and  mules.  On  a 
closer  examination  they  found  that  they  were  in  pos 
session  of  a  band  of  Indians,  who  had  formerly  given 
them  some  of  their  gratuitous  hostilities.  Not  hav 
ing  forgotten  their  former  troubles  with  these  people, 
they  determined  to  pay  them  off  in  their  own  coin 
by  depriving  them  of  the  herd.  A  short  search  suf 
ficed  to  discover  the  Indian  camp.  Without  waiting 
an  instant,  they  put  their  horses  to  their  speed,  and 
charged  in  among  the  huts.  The  Indians  were  so 
completely  taken  by  surprise,  that  they  became  panic- 
struck,  and  fled  in  every  direction.  They  however 
rallied  somewhat  and  a  running  fight  commenced, 
which  lasted  some  time,  but  which  did  not  change 
matters  in  favor  of  the  Indians.  The  entire  herd  fell 
into  the  possession  of  the  trappers. 

"  On  the  same  evening,  after  the  men  had  wrapped 
themselves  up  in  their  blankets,  and  laid  down  for 
sleep,  and  while  enjoying  their  slumbers,  a  noise 
reached  their  ears  which  sounded  very  much  like 
distant  thunder.  But  a  close  application  of  the  sense 
of  hearing  showed  plainly  that  an  enemy  was  near  at 
hand.  Springing  up,  with  rifle  in  hand,  for  generally 


CONFLICTS  WITH  THE  INDIANS.  83 

in  the  mountains  a  man's  gun  rests  in  the  same 
blanket  with  himself,  x>n  all  sleeping  occasions,  they 
sallied  forth  to  reconnoitre,  and  discovered  a  few  war 
riors  driving  along  a  band  of  at  least  two  hundred 
horses.  The  trappers  comprehended  instantly  that 
the  warriors  had  been  to  the  Mexican  settlement  in 
Sonora,  on  a  thieving  expedition,  and  that  the  horses 
had  changed  hands,  with  only  one  party  to  the  bar 
gain.  The  opportunity  to  instil  a  lesson  on  the  sav 
age  marauders  was  too  good  to  be  lost. 

"  They  saluted  the  thieves  with  a  volley  from  their 
rifles,  which,  with  the  bullets  whizzing  about  their 
heads  and  bodies,  so  astonished  them  that  they 
seemed  almost  immediately  to  forget  their  stolen 
property,  and  to  think  only  of  a  precipitous  flight. 
In  a  few  moments  the  whites  found  themselves  mas 
ters  of  the  field  and  also  of  the  property.  To  return 
the  animals  to  their  owners  was  an  impossibility. 
Mr.  Young,  therefore,  selected  as  many  of  the  best 
horses  as  he  needed  for  himself  and  men,  and,  game 
being  very  scarce,  killed  two,  and  dried  most  of  the 
meat  for  future  use,  turning  the  remainder  loose." 

Such  were  the  morals  of  the  wilderness.  Mr. 
Young  resolved  himself  into  a  court,  of  which  he  was 
legislator,  judge,  jury  and  executioner.  The  property 
of  others  he  could  confiscate  at  pleasure,  for  his  own 
use.  The  Indians  probably  retaliated  upon  the  first 


84  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

band  of  white  men  which  came  within  their  power. 
And  this  retaliation  would  be  deemed  an  act  of 
wanton  savage  barbarism  demanding  the  extinction 
of  a  tribe. 

Continuing  their  march  up  the  Gila  river,  trapping 
,all  the  way,  from  its  head  waters  they  struck  across 
the  country  to  Santa  Fe.  Here  they  found  a  ready 
market  for  their  furs,  at  twelve  dollars  a  pound. 
Their  mules  were  laden  down  with  two  thousand 
pounds.  Thus  the  pecuniary  results  of  the  trip 
amounted  to  the  handsome  sum  of  twenty  four  thou 
sand  dollars.  The  trappers,  flush  with  money,  re 
turned  to  Taos.  The  vagabonds  of  the  party  soon 
squandered  their  earnings  in  rioting,  and  were  then 
eager  to  set  out  on  another  excursion.  It  was  now 
April,  1830. 

Young  Carson  was  at  this  time  a  very  handsome 
young  man  of  twenty-one  years.  He  had  obtained  a 
high  reputation,  and  his  pockets  were  full  of  money, 
with  which  he  scarcely  knew  what  to  do.  It  is  said 
that,  for  a  time,  he  was  led  astray  by  the  convivial 
temptations  with  which  he  was  surrounded.  To 
what  length  he  went  we  cannot  ascertain.  There  is 
no  available  information  upon  this  point.  Perhaps 
the  whole  story  is  but  one  of  those  slanders  to  which 
all  men  are  exposed.  One  of  his  annalists  writes  : 

"  Young  Kit,  at  this  period  of  his  life,  imitated 


CONFLICTS    WITH   THE   INDIANS.  85 

the  example  set  by  his  elders,  for  he  wished  to  be 
considered  by  them  as  an  equal  and  a  friend.  He 
however  passed  through  this  terrible  ordeal,  which 
most  frequently  ruins  its  votary,  and  eventually  came 
out  brighter,  clearer  and  more  noble  for  the  con 
science  polish  which  he  received.  He  contracted  no 
bad  habits,  but  learned  the  usefulness  and  happiness 
of  resisting  temptation  ;  and  became  so  well  schooled 
that  he  was  able,  by  the  caution  and  advice  of  wis 
dom  founded  on  experience,  to  prevent  many  a 
promising  and  skilful  hand  from  grasping  ruin  in  the 
same  vortex." 

In  the  fall  of  this  year  Kit  joined  another  trap 
ping  expedition.  Its  destination  was  to  the  innu 
merable  streams  and  valleys  among  the  Rocky 
mountains.  Mr.  Fitzpatrick,  a  man  of  good  reputa 
tion  and  a  veteran  trapper,  had  charge  of  the  party. 
Crossing  a  pass  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  they 
pursued  their  route  in  a  direction  nearly  north,  a 
distance  of  about  three  hundred  miles,  till  they 
reached  the  head  waters  of  the  Platte  river.  They 
were  now  on  the  eastern  side  of  those  gigantic 
ranges  which  form  the  central  portion  of  the  North 
American  Continent. 

Here,  in  the  midst  of  the  mountains,  the  winter 
was  inclement,  with  piercing  blasts  and  deep  snows. 
Still  the  trappers,  warmly  clad,  vigorously  pursued 


86  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

both  hunting  and  trapping,  availing  themselves  of 
every  pleasant  day.  In  inclement  weather  they 
gathered  joyously  around  their  ample  camp-fires, 
finding  ever  enough  to  do  in  cooking,  dressing  their 
skins,  repairing  garments,  making  moccasins,  and  in 
keeping  their  guns  and  knives  in  order.  Some  of 
these  valleys  were  found  sheltered  and  sunny.  Even 
in  mid-winter  there  were  days  of  genial  warmth. 
They  occasionally  changed  their  camp  and  trapped 
along  the  banks  of  the  Green,  the  Bear  and  the 
Salmon  rivers. 

During  the  winter  one  sad  incident  occurred. 
Four  of  the  trappers  who  were  out  in  pursuit  of 
game,  were 'surrounded  and  overpowered  by  a  nu 
merous  -party  of  Blackfeet  Indians,  and  all  were 
killed.  There  were  buffaloes  in  abundance  in  that 
region,  and  these  animals  found  ample  forage,  as 
they  had  the  range  of  hundreds  of  miles,  and 
instinct  guided  them  to  sheltered  and  verdant  glens. 
But  in  some  of  the  narrow,  wind-swept  valleys  the 
animals  of  the  trappers  suffered  from  exposure  and 
want  of  food.  They  were  kept  alive  by  cutting 
down  cottonwood  trees  and  gathering  the  bark  and 
branches  for  fodder.  But  the  trappers  themselves, 
having  abundance  of  game,  fared  sumptuously. 

The  beaver  is  so  intelligent  that  he  is  one  of  the 
most  difficult  animals  in  the  world  to  entrap.  Mar- 


CONFLICTS   WITH   THE   INDIANS.  8/ 

vellous  stories  are  told  by  the  hunters  of  his  sagacity. 
Many  of  the  Indians  believe  that  the  beavers  have 
human  intelligence.  They  say  that  the  only  differ 
ence  between  the  beaver  and  the  Indian,  is  that  the 
latter  has  been  endowed  by  the  Great  Spirit  with 
capabilities  to  catch  the  former. 

Among  these  bleak,  barren,  gigantic  ridges  there 
are  many  lovely  valleys  to  be  found,  scores  of  miles 
in  length  and  width.     Here  are  found  two  extensive 
natural  parks,  of  extraordinary  beauty.     Apparently 
no  landscape   gardener  could   have   laid  them   out 
more  tastefully.     There  are  wide-spread  lawns,  some 
times  level  as  a  floor,  sometimes  gently  undulating, 
smooth,    green    and    at    times    decorated    with   an 
almost  inconceivable  brilliance  of  flowers.     Here  and 
there  groves  are  sprinkled,  entirely  free  from  under 
brush.     There  are  running  streams  and  crystal  lake 
lets.      Birds   of  brilliant    plumage   sport   upon   the 
waters.     Buffaloes,  often  in  immense  numbers,  crop 
the  luxuriant    herbage.     Deer,  elks   and  antelopes 
bound  over  these  fields,  reminding  one  of  his  childish 
visions    of    Paradise.      In   the   streams    otter   and 
beaver  find  favorite  haunts. 

During  the  winter,  as  business  was  a  little  dull, 
Kit  Carson  and  four  of  his  companions  set  off  on  a 
private  hunting  expedition.  They  were  gone  about 
six  weeks.  Soon  after  their  return,  in  the  latter 


88  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

part  of  January,  a  party  of  Crow  Indians,  one  very 
dark  night,  succeeded  in  stealthily  approaching  the 
camp  and  in  driving  off  nine  of  the  animals  which 
were  grazing  at  a  short  distance.  It  was  not  until 
morning  that  the  loss  was  discovered. 

As  usual  Kit  Carson  was  sent,  at  the  head  of 
twelve  men,  in  pursuit  of  the  thieves.  They  selected 
their  best  horses,  for  it  was  certain  that  the  Indians 
would  make  no  delay  in  their  flight.  It  was  found 
quite  difficult  to  follow  their  trail,  for,  during  the 
night,  a  herd  of  several  thousand  buffaloes  had 
crossed  and  recrossed  it,  quite  trampling  it  out  of 
sight.  Still  the  sagacity  of  Carson  triumphed,  and 
after  being  baffled  for  a  short  time,  he  again  with 
certainty  struck  the  trail. 

For  forty  miles  the  pursuit  was  continued  with 
much  vigor.  The  horses  then  began  to  give  out. 
Night  was  approaching.  Carson  thought  it  neces 
sary  to  go  into  camp  till  morning,  that  the  horses 
might  be  refreshed  and  recruited.  There  was  a 
grove  near  by.  Just  as  they  were  entering  it  for 
their  sheltered  encampment,  Kit  Carson  saw  the 
smoke  of  Indian  fires  at  no  great  distance  in  advance 
of  him.  He  had  no  doubt  that  the  smoke  came 
from  the  encampment  of  the  party  he  was  pursuing. 

The  Indians  had  fled  from  the  north.  Of  course 
it  would  be  from  the  north  that  they  would  look  for 


CONFLICTS   WITH   THE   INDIANS.  89 

the  approach  of  their  pursuers.  The  southern 
borders  of  their  camp  would  consequently  be  less 
carefully  guarded.  The  trappers  remained  quietly  in 
their  hiding-place  until  midnight.  They  then  took  a 
wide  circuit,  so  as  to  approach  the  Indians  from  the 
south.  The  savages  seemed  to  have  lost  all  fear  of 
pursuit,  for  the  gleam  of  their  triumphal  fires  shone 
far  and  wide,  and  the  shouts  of  their  barbaric  revelry 
resounded  over  the  prairie. 

Very  cautiously  Carson  and  his  men  approached, 
availing  themselves  of  every  opportunity  of  conceal 
ment,  creeping  for  a  long  distance  upon  their  hands 
and  knees.  Having  arrived  within  half  gunshot  they 
gazed  upon  a  very  singular  spectacle,  and  one  which 
would  have  been  very  alarming  to  any  men  but 
those  accustomed  to  the  perils  of  the  wilderness. 

A  large  number  of  Indian  warriors,  painted, 
plumed  and  decorated  in  the  highest  style  of  savage 
taste,  were  celebrating  what  they  deemed  a  victory 
over  the  white  men.  Their  camp  was  in  a  beautiful 
grove,  on  what  would  be  called  an  undulating  prairie. 
There  was  some  broken  ground  which  facilitated 
the  approach  of  the  trappers.  The  nine  horses  they 
had  stolen  were  tethered  in  some  rich  grass,  at  a 
short  distance  from  the  encampment.  The  Indians 
had  erected  two  large  huts,  or  wigwams,  which,  in 
their  caution,  they  had  constructed  partially  as  forts, 


90  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

into  which  they  could  retreat  and  protect  themselves 
should  they  be  attacked. 

The  large  fires  were  burning  hotly.  At  these 
fires  they  had  roasted  two  horses,  and  had  feasted  to 
satiety.  They  were  now  dancing  franticly  around 
these  fires,  brandishing  their  weapons,  shouting  their 
rude  songs  of  defiance  and  exultation,  interspersed 
with  occasional  bursts  of  the  shrill  and  piercing  war- 
whoop.  The  savages  outnumbered  the  trappers  many 
to  one.  They  were  also  armed  with  rifles  and  had 
learned  how  to  use  them  skillfully.  Thus,  in  view 
of  a  battle,  the  odds  seemed  fearfully  against  the 
trappers. 

It  was  a  dark  night  in  January,  and  a  piercing 
winter  wind  swept  the  prairie.  Even  savage  muscles 
will  get  weary  in  the  frenzied  dance,  and  the  con 
tinuously  repeated  war-whoop  will  exhaust  the  most 
stentorian  lungs.  Carson  ordered  his  men  to  remain 
perfectly  quiet  in  their  concealment.  As  they  had 
but  a  scanty  allowance  of  clothing,  they  suffered 
much  from  the  intense  cold.  Soon  after  midnight 
the  savages  threw  themselves  down  around  the  fires 
and  most  of  them  were  soon  soundly  asleep. 

Kit  Carson  then,  with  five  of  his  companions, 
cautiously  crept  towards  the  horses,  drew  out  the 
picket-pins  and  led  them  a  short  distance  to  a  place 
of  concealment  nearer  their  own  camp.  Several  of 


CONFLICTS  WITH   THE   INDIANS.  9! 

the  party  were  then  in  favor  of  returning,  with  their 
recovered  property,  as  rapidly  as  possible.  They 
would  have  several  hours'  advantage  of  the  savages, 
and  they  thought  it  not  advisable  to  provoke  a  conflict 
with  foes  outnumbering  them,  and  who  were  also 
armed  with  rifles. 

But  Mr.  Carson  said,  "  our  horses  are  exhausted. 
We  cannot  travel  fast.  We  shall  certainly  be  pur 
sued.  The  Indians  can  judge  from  our  trail  how  few 
we  are  in  numbers.  They  are  perfectly  acquainted 
with  the  country.  They  can  select  their  point  of 
attack.  With  their  large  numbers  they  can  surround 
us  First  they  will  shoot  our  horses.  Then  we  shall 
be  on  foot  and  at  their  mercy.  We  now  can  take 
them  by  surprise.  Our  only  safety  consists  in  so 
weakening  them,  and  appalling  them  by  the  vehe 
mence  of  our  attack,  that  they  will  have  no  heart  to 
renew  the  conflict." 

We  do  not  profess  to  give  Mr.  Carson's  precise 
words.  These  were  his  views.  They  were  so  mani 
festly  correct  that  all,  at  once,  fell  in  with  them. 
The  united  party  then  again  advanced,  with  rifles 
cocked  and  primed,  towards  the  Indian  camp.  The 
trappers  were  in  the  shade.  The  recumbent  forms 
of  the  sleeping  Indians  were  revealed  by  the  smoul 
dering  fires.  When  they  were  within  a  few  .yards  of 
the  foe,  an  Indian  dog  gave  the  alarm.  Instantly 


92  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

every  savage  sprang  to  his  feet,  presenting  a  perfect 
target  to  these  marksmen  who  never  missed  their 
aim.  There  was  almost  an  instantaneous  discharge 
of  rifles  and  thirteen  Indian  warriors  fell  weltering  in 
their  blood. 

The  rest,  thus  suddenly  awoke  from  sound  sleep, 
witnessing  the  sudden  carnage,  and  with  no  foe 
visible,  fled  precipitately  to  their  forts.  But  the 
trappers  instantly  reloaded  their  pieces  and,  secure 
from  harm,  in  the  darkness,  and  behind  the  trees, 
struck  with  the  bullet  every  exposed  Indian,  and 
five  more  fell.  This  was  an  awful  loss  to  the  Indians. 
Still  they  greatly  outnumbered  the  whites.  But 
they  were  caught  in  a  trap.  They  had  neither  food 
nor  water  in  their  forts.  Not  an  Indian  could  creep 
from  them  without  encountering  certain  death. 

Upon  the  dawn  of  day  the  Indians  were  able  to 
ascertain  that  their  foes  were  but  few  in  number. 
As  the  only  possible  resort,  which  could  save  them 
from  destruction,  they  decided  to  make  a  simulta 
neous  rush,  from  the  forts  into  the  grove,  and  to  take 
their  stand  also  behind  the  protection  of  the  trees. 
This  would  give  them,  with  their  superior  numbers, 
the  advantage  over  the  trappers.  They  were  good 
marksmen  with  the  rifle,  and  were  accustomed  to 
that  style  of  fighting.  Mr.  Carson  was  prepared  for 
this  movement.  They  made  the  rush,  and  they 


CONFLICTS  WITH  THE  INDIANS.  93 

met   their    doom.     Thirteen    more    warriors    were 
struck  down,  either  killed  or  severely  wounded. 

The  Indians  had  now  lost  thirty-one  warriors. 
Discouraged  and  appalled  they  retreated.  The  way 
was  now  clear  for  the  return  of  Kit  Carson.  The 
savages  made  no  attempts  to  obstruct  their  path. 
With  all  the  horses  which  had  been  stolen,  and 
without  a  man  injured,  this  Napoleon  of  the  wilder 
ness  re-entered  the  camp  to  be  greeted  by  the  cheers 
of  his  comrades. 


CHAPTER  V. 
Marches  and  Encampments. 

The  Encampment  Among  the  Rocky  Mountains. — The  Attempted 
Stampede. — Retreat  and  Pursuit  by  the  Savages. — The  Alarm. — 
Loss  of  the  Horses. — Their  Recovery. — Enterprise  of  Kit  Car 
son. — Fight  with  the  Indians. — The  Litter  for  the  Wounded. — 
Union  of  the  two  Trapping  Parties. — Successful  Return  to 
Taos. — Carson  joins  a  Trading  Party. — Chivalric  Adventures. — 
Attacked  by  Bears. 

MR.  FlTZPATRICK,  with  his  party  of  trappers, 
wandering  to  and  fro,  found  himself  at  length  en 
camped  on  the  head  waters  of  the  Arkansas  river,  in 
the  heart  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  more  than  a 
thousand  miles  from  the  point  where  that  majestic 
stream  empties  into  the  Mississippi.  Their  inter 
course  with  the  Indians  had  not  been  such  as  to 
secure  friendly  relations.  Powerful  tribes  were 
around  them,  ready  to  combine  for  their  destruction. 
The  men  were  widely  scattered  in  their  trapping 
excursions,  and  but  few  were  left  here  to  guard  the 
camp  and  the  furs  already  taken. 

It  is  impossible  to  trace  with  accuracy  the  course 
pursued  by  these  different  bands,  neither  is  it  a  mat- 


MARCHES  AND   ENCAMPMENTS.  95 

ter  of  any  moment.  Kit  found  himself  at  one  time, 
left  with  but  one  man  to  guard  the  camp.  He  was 
fully  conscious  of  his  danger,  and  made  every  possi 
ble  preparation  for  defence,  should  they  be  attacked. 
With  food  in  abundance,  loop-holes  properly  ar 
ranged,  and  a  number  of  rifles  ever  ready  loaded,  no 
war-party,  however  numerous,  could  seize  the  fort 
without  the  loss  of  many  of  their  men.  And  as  we 
have  said,  the  boldest  of  these  warriors  were  never 
willing  to  expose  themselves  unprotected  to  rifle 
shot. 

Neither  of  the  men  dared  to  venture  far  from 
their  camp  for  game.  Fortunately  this  was  not 
necessary.  Game  existed  in  such  abundance  that, 
almost  from  the  door  of  their  fortification,  they  could 
shoot  any  quantity  they  needed.  They  always  kept 
a  careful  guard.  While  one  slept  the  other  watched. 
For  a  month  these  two  men  were  in  this  lonely  posi 
tion.  At  the  end  of  that  time  Mr.  Blackwell,  one 
of  the  partners  in  one  of  these  expeditions,  arrived 
with  fifteen  fresh  men,  and  a  very  thorough  outfit. 
It  was  a  joyful  meeting,  and  the  whole  party,  taking 
with  them  their  furs,  commenced  a  march  to  the  Salt 
springs,  near  the  head  waters  of  the  Platte  river. 

These  adventurers  had  been  but  four  days  on 
their  route,  when  one  morning  as  they  were  break 
fasting,  the  guard  gave  the  startling  cry  of  "  Indians." 


96  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

Every  man  was  instantly  on  his  feet,  rifle  in  hand. 
The  horses  of  the  trappers  were  at  but  a  short  dis 
tance  from  the  camp,  turned  loose  to  crop  the  grass, 
which  was  there  scanty,  wherever  they  could  find  it. 
But  when  Kit  Carson  was  in  a  company  nothing  was 
ever  left  to  chance.  The  animals  were  all  carefully 
hobbled,  a  hind  foot  and  a  fore  foot  so  bound 
together  that  they  could  not  possibly  run. 

The  Indians,  on  fleet  horses,  with  flaunting  pen 
nons,  hair  streaming  in  the  wind,  and  uttering 
demoniac  yells,  came  down  like  the  sweep  of  the 
tornado  upon  the  animals.  Their  object  was  to 
cause  a  stampede,  that  is,  to  throw  the  animals  into 
such  a  panic  that  they  would  break  away  from  every 
thing,  and  follow  the  Indian  horses  off  into  the 
boundless  prairie.  The  trappers  thus  left  without 
any  steeds,  would  find  pursuit  impossible. 

The  movement  was  so  sudden  and  so  rapid  that, 
though  several  shots  were  fired,  but  one  Indian  was 
struck.  He  fell  dead  upon  the  sod.  One  horse  only 
was  lost.  One  of  the  warriors,  as  he  was  passing  by 
on  the  full  run,  succeeded  in  cutting  the  cord  of  a 
rearing,  struggling  steed,  and  the  terrified  animal 
disappeared  with  the  mounted  herd.  Had  it  not 
been  for  the  precaution  of  hobbling  the  horses, 
probably  every  one  would  have  been  lost  in  this 
attempted  stampede.  What  is  usually  called  good 


MARCHES  AND   ENCAMPMENTS.  97 

luck,  is  almost  always  the  result  of  wise  precautions. 
In  reference  to  this  adroit  mode  of  horse-stealing 
adopted  by  the  Indians,  it  is  written: 

"  These  stampedes  are  a  source  of  great  profit  to 
the*  Indians  of  the  Plains.  It  is  by  this  means  they 
deprive  the  caravans  of  their  animals.  The  Coman- 
ches  are  particularly  expert  and  daring  in  this  kind 
of  robbery.  They  even  train  horses  to  run  from  one 
given  point  to  another,  in  expectation  of  caravans. 
When  a  camp  is  made  which  is  nearly  in  range,  they 
turn  their  trained  animals  loose,  who  at  once  fly 
across  the  plain,  penetrating  and  passing  through  the 
camp  of  their  victims.  All  of  the  picketed  animals 
will  attempt  to  follow,  and  usually  succeed.  Such 
are  invariably  led  into  the  haunts  of  the  thieves,  who 
easily  secure  them. 

"  Young  horses  and  mules  are  easily  frightened. 
And,  in  the  havoc  which  generally  ensues,  often 
times  great  injury  is  done  to  the  runaways  them 
selves.  The  sight  of  a  stampede  on  a  grand  scale, 
requires  steady  nerves  to  witness  without  tremor. 
And  woe  to  the  footman  who  cannot  get  out  of  the 
way  when  the  frightened  animals  come  along.  At 
times,  when  the  herd  is  large,  the  horses  scatter 
over  the  open  country  and  are  irrecoverably  lost. 

A  favorite  policy  of  the  Indian  horse  thieves  is  to 
creep  into  camp,  cut  loose  one  animal  and  thoroughly 
5 


98  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

frighten  him.  This  animal  seldom  fails  to  frighten 
the  remainder,  when  away  they  all  go  with  long 
ropes  and  picket-pins  dangling  after  them.  The 
latter  sometimes  act  like  harpoons,  being  thrown 
with  such  impetus  as  to  strike  and  instantly  kill  a 
valuable  steed  from  among  the  brother  runaways. 
At  other  times  the  limbs  of  the  running  horses  get 
entangled  in  the  ropes,  and  they  are  suddenly 
thrown.  Such  seldom  escape  without  broken  legs 
or  severe  contusions,  which  are  often  incurable.  The 
necessity  of  travelling  on,  without  delay,  renders  it 
an  impossibility  to  undertake  the  cure,  when  it 
might  be  practicable  under  other  circumstances." 

The  next  day  the  party  of  trappers  travelled  fifty 
miles,  till  they  thought  themselves  beyond  the  reach 
of  the  hostile  savages.  Still  they  knew  how  stealth 
ily  their  trail  might  be  followed,  and  they  were  vigi 
lant  to  guard  against  surprise.  They  selected,  for 
their  night's  encampment,  a  beautiful  spot  upon  the 
banks  of  a  clear  mountain  stream,  which  emptied 
into  the  Arkansas  river.  They  had  there  a  smooth 
and  verdant  meadow,  of  limited  extent,  affording 
fine  pasturage.  Here  the  wearied  animals  were 
strongly  picketed.  There  was  also  a  grove,  where 
they  could  obtain  fuel  and  timber  for  such  camp 
protection  as  they  might  require. 

It  was  nearly  dark  when  they  reached  this  spot, 


MARCHES   AND   ENCAMPMENTS.  99 

hungry  and  tired  after  the  long  journey  of  the  day. 
But  their  camp-fires  soon  blazed  brightly.  Rich 
viands  of  choice  cuts  of  venison  and  other  game, 
were  cooked  by  artistic  hands.  And  the  mountain 
springs  afforded  them  cool  and  delicious  water. 
With  ravenous  appetites  they  partook  of  a  feast 
which  any  gourmand  might  covet.  And  then 
wrapped  in  their  furs,  and  surrounded  by  the  silence 
and  solitude  of  the  wilderness,  with  the  whole  wild 
scene  illumined  by  their  fires,  they  fell  asleep.  In 
accordance  with  invariable  custom  a  careful  guard 
was  set. 

They  had  one  cause  of  solicitude,  which  to  any 
person  unfamiliar  with  mountain  life  would  have 
been  very  serious ;  the  place  abounded  with  rattle 
snakes.  The  whole  region  seemed  to  be  a  favorite 
rendezvous  for  these  venomous  reptiles.  These 
mountaineers,  however,  had  become  so  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  their  habits,  as  to  sleep  in  the  midst 
of  them  without  anxiety.  In  the  night  the  rattle 
snake  seldom  moves,  in  the  daytime  with  his  rattles 
he  gives  chivalric  warning  before  he  strikes  with  his 
fangs.  Consequently  it  is  not  often  that  the  trapper 
or  the  Indian  is  bitten. 

Our  travellers  carefully  examined  the  ground 
over  which  they  reared  their  frail  shelters,  and  then 
folded  in  their  blankets  or  buffalo  robes,  experienced 


100  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

no  solicitude.  About  midnight  a  faithful  dog  began 
to  bark  furiously.  It  was  not  doubted  that  the 
sagacious  animal  scented  the  approach  of  Indians. 
Every  trapper  was  instantly  on  his  feet,  with  his 
rifle  in  his  hand.  Their  attention  was  immediately 
directed  to  the  horses.  The  Indians  were-  profes 
sional  thieves,  not  murderers  ;  they  were  in  search 
of  booty,  not  of  revenge.  And  when  they  sought  to 
take  the  lives  of  the  trappers,  it  was  merely  as  a 
necessary  means  for  attaining  their  end  of  robbery. 

It  subsequently  appeared  that  the  Indians  were 
undoubtedly  near,  and  that  the  dog  had  not  given  a 
false  alarm.  The  savages  probably  from  their 
covert,  saw  that  the  animals  were  strongly  tethered, 
and  that  the  trappers  were  on  the  alert.  Any  at 
tempt  to  stampede  the  horses,would  expose  them  to 
the  bullets  of  these  unerring  marksmen.  They 
therefore  withdrew,  waiting  for  a  more  favorable 
opportunity.  After  an  hour  of  watching,  the  trap 
pers,  about  seventeen  in  number,  having  posted  an 
extra  guard,  lay  down  again,  but  not  for  sleep.  They 
expected  every  moment  to  see  a  band  of  mounted 
savages,  perhaps  several  hundred  in  number,  coming 
with  the  sweep  of  the  whirlwind  upon  their  horses, 
and  yelling  like  demons,  as  they  drove  the  terrified 
animals  far  away  into  the  wilderness.  The  night, 
however,  passed  away  without  further  disturbance. 


MARCHES  AND  ENCAMPMENTS.       IOI 

As  the  morning  dawned  serene  and  cloudless  upon 
them,  all  suspicions  seem  to  have  been  dispelled. 
They  replenished  their  fires,  cooked  their  savory 
breakfast,  and  decided  to  remain  for  a  day  or  two  in 
their  delightful  encampment.  The  region  abounded 
with  the  most  desirable  game,  and  it  was  thought  that 
beaver  might  be  found  in  the  adjacent  streams. 

Kit  Carson  had  a  remarkably  retentive  memory, 
and  a  wonderful  aptitude  for  comprehending  the 
mazes  of  rivers,  mountains,  and  valleys.  He  had 
very  thoroughly  studied  the  geography  of  these 
regions,  and  told  his  companions  that  at  a  distance 
of  a  few  miles,  there  was  a  much  larger  stream  than 
that  upon  which  they  were  encamped ;  and  that  he 
had  been  informed  that  beaver  were  to  be  found 
there  in  abundance.  There  were  two  ways  of  ap 
proaching  that  stream ;  the  shorter,  but  more  diffi 
cult  one,  was  by  clambering  over  a  mountain  ridge 
several  hundred  feet  high,  and  then  descending  into 
the  valley  beyond,  through  which  the  river  flowed. 
The  other  and  much  longer  route,  was  to  follow 
down  the  small  stream  upon  whose  banks  they 
were  encamped,  for  several  miles,  until  they  reached 
its  entrance  into  the  larger  river. 

Four  of  the  trappers,  led  by  Kit  Carson,  under 
took  to  cross  this  Rocky  Mountain  peak,  and  explore 
the  valley  beyond.  They  mounted  four  horses, 


102  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

laden  with  their  traps,  and  other  articles  essential 
for  a  short  trapping  excursion.  Probably  the 
Indians,  hidden  in  the  distance,  were  with  keen  eyes 
watching  every  movement  at  the  camp.  Carson  and 
his  companions  had  been  absent  but  about  four 
hours,  and  others  of  the  party  were  dispersed  in 
search  of  game,  when  a  large  band  of  Indians, 
mounted  on  fleet  horses,  with  flaunting  pennons, 
and  hair  streaming  in  the  wind,  and  making  the 
cliffs  resound  with  their  yells,  succeeded  in  liberating 
a  large  number  of  the  horses,  and  with  their  booty, 
rapidly  disappeared  down  the  winding  glen. 

This  all  took  place  in  almost  less  time  than  it  has 
required  to  describe  it.  The  hardihood  and  fearless 
ness  of  these  hunters  is  signally  manifest  in  the  fact 
that  four  of  these  men  instantly  grasped  their  rifles, 
and  springing  upon  four  of  the  fleetest  of  their  re 
maining  horses,  set  out  in  pursuit  of  these  savages, 
who  outnumbered  them  ten  to  one.  The  narrow 
ness  of  the  glen,  was  such,  that  the  pursuers  had  the 
decided  advantage  over  the  spoil-encumbered  pur 
sued.  They  soon  overtook  them,  and  opened  upon 
them  a  deliberate  and  deadly  fire.  One  warrior  fell 
dead  from  his  horse.  The  others,  imminently  ex 
posed  to  the  same  fate,  with  terror  abandoned  the 
drove  they  had  captured,  and  soon  disappeared  in 
their  rapid  flight.  The  horses  were  all  regained,  and 


MARCHES  AND   ENCAMPMENTS.  1 03 

with  them  the  victorious  party  returned  to  the  camp, 
One  of  the  men  however  was  seriously  wounded, 
having  been  struck  by  a  bullet  from  one  of  the  In 
dian  warriors,  several  of  whom  were  armed  with 
rifles. 

In  the  meantime,  Carson  and  his  companions, 
after  surmounting  great  difficulties,  reached  the  valley 
they  sought,  and  to  their  disappointment,  found  no 
beaver  there.  Crossing  the  ridge  had  proved  so  dif 
ficult,  that  they  decided  to  return  by  the  more  cir 
cuitous  route  of  the  two  valleys.  As  they  were  rid 
ing  along  on  their  pathless  way,  they  suddenly  came 
upon  four  Indian  warriors,  evidently  on  the  war-path ; 
painted,  plumed  and  armed  in  the  highest  style  of 
military  decoration.  The  four  Indians  instantly 
turned  their  horses  and  fled.  The  four  trappers  at 
once  spurred  on  their  steeds,  and  pursued  them. 

They  were  dashing  on  at  their  highest  speed, 
when  suddenly  they  found  they  had  been  led  into  an 
ambush.  Sixty  warriors  came  rushing  upon  them 
from  behind  the  hill,  where  they  had  been  concealed. 
The  trappers  had  no  time  for  deliberation.  There 
was  but  one  possible  escape.  It  was  to  run  the 
gauntlet.  Bowing  down  to  .the  necks  of  their 
horses,  so  as  to  expose  their  persons  as  little  as  possible 
to  bullets  or  arrows,  they  urged  their  steeds  to  their 
utmost  speed.  The  horses  had  an  instinctive  dread 


104  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

of  the  Indian.  Sharing  the  alarm  of  their  riders,  they 
became  frantic  with  terror,  and  needed  no  urging  in 
their  impetuous  race.  The  Indians  were  often  with 
in  sixty  feet  of  their  victims,  and  bullets  and  ar 
rows  flew  thickly  around  the  trappers.  But  both 
parties  being  on  the  fiercest  run,  and  there  being 
interposing  obstacles  of  rocks,  and  shrubs,  and  trees, 
accurate  aim  was  impossible.  As  the  fugitives  drew 
near  their  camp,  the  Indians  relinquished  the  pursuit. 
One  of  the  men  had  been  struck  by  an  arrow  and 
wounded. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  these  heroic 
men  were  all  re-assembled  around  the  camp-fires,  to 
recount  the  adventures  of  the  day.  With  the  sleep 
lessness  of  the  preceding  night,  and  the  toil  and 
peril  which  the  rising  sun  had  ushered  in,  they  were 
all  exceedingly  exhausted.  Still  the  consciousness 
that  they  were  surrounded  by  a  vigilant  and  power 
ful  foe,  rendered  it  necessary  for  them  to  adopt  every 
precaution  for  their  safety.  They  tethered  their 
horses  with  very  great  care,  near  their  camp.  They 
prepared  hasty  ramparts  which  guarded  every  ap 
proach  ;  and  having  established  a  very  careful  guard, 
sought  that  repose  which  all  so  greatly  needed. 
The  night  passed  without  alarm. 

At  the  distance  of  four  days'  march,  there  was 
another  encampment  of  trappers,  under  Mr.  Gaunt. 


MARCHES  AND   ENCAMPMENTS.  10$ 

They  decided  as  speedily  as  possible  to  join  them. 
But  the  two  wounded  men  found  their  wounds  so 
inflamed  that  they  could  not  travel.  The  trappers, 
accustomed  to  such  exigencies,  prepared  for  them 
litters  very  ingeniously  constructed.  They  cut  two 
flexible  poles  about  twenty-four  feet  long.  These 
were  laid  upon  the  ground,  three  feet  apart,  and  a 
buffalo  robe  laid  between  them,  strongly  fastened  on 
either  side,  so  as  to  present  a  swinging  hammock 
about  six  feet  in  length.  This  left  at  either  end 
shafts  about  six  feet  long.  Two  mules  or  horses,  of 
about  the  same  size  were  selected  as  carriers.  The 
ends  of  these  shafts  were  attached  to  saddles,  on 
each  of  the  animals.  Thus  the  patient  was  borne  by 
a  gentle,  swinging  motion,  over  the  roughest  paths. 

In  four  days  they  reached  Gaunt's  camp.  The 
whole  united  party  set  out  for  the  lovely  region  to 
which  we  have  before  alluded,  known  as  the  Great 
Park.  Here  they  found  beautiful  scenery,  game  in 
abundance,  a  delicious  climate,  rich  pasturage  for 
their  animals,  but  no  beavers.  Other  trapping 
parties  had  just  preceded  them,  and  emptied  all  the 
streams  of  their  furs.  For  a  week  or  two  they 
wandered  far  and  wide,  setting  their  traps  in  vain. 
At  length  Kit  Carson,  weary  of  such  profitless  pur 
suits,  took  two  chosen  companions  with  him,  and  with 
the  hearty  good  wishes  of  Mr.  Gaunt  and  the  re- 
5* 


106  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

maining  trappers,  set  out  on  an  expedition  on  his 
own  account. 

He  plunged  directly  into  the  very  heart  of  the 
mountains,  where  game  not  being  abundant  he  would 
be  less  likely  to  be  annoyed  by  the  savages.  His 
experience  and  sagacity  guidjd  him  safely  and  suc 
cessfully.  For  several  months  these  three  men 
wandered  about  among  these  lonely  streams,  which 
even  the  Indian  rarely  visited.  They  found  beaver 
in  abundance,  and  loading  down  their  animals  with 
the  well  packed  furs,  set  out  on  their  perilous  journey 
home.  It  was  necessary  for  them  to  pass  over  miles 
of  open  prairie,  where  Indian  bands  were  ever  found 
pursuing  buffalo,  deer  and  other  game.  It  would 
seem  that  a  miracle  only  could  preserve  them  from 
attack,  and  they  were  too  few  in  numbers  for  a  per 
sistent  defence. 

The  sagacity  of  Kit  Carson,  however,  triumphed 
over  all  the  obstacles  he  had  to  encounter.  He 
traversed  the  forest  and  the  prairie  undiscovered, 
and  reached  Taos  with  all  his  animals  and  their 
precious  freight.  Here  he  found  furs  in  great 
demand.  Traders  were  there  from  various  parts  of 
the  States,  ready  to  purchase  his  supply  at  the 
highest  prices.  Kit  Carson  was  abundantly  rewarded 
for  all  his  toil,  and  for  a  mountain  trapper,  might  be 
deemed  rich.  His  two  companions  speedily  squan- 


MARCHES   AND   ENCAMPMENTS.  IO/ 

dered  their  earnings  in  all  kinds  of  extravagant  and 
senseless  revelry.  Mr.  Carson,  having  perhaps  learned 
wisdom  from  past  experience,  judiciously  invested 
the  sums  he  had  acquired. 

Mr.  Carson  had  now  very  decidedly  stepped  out 
from  the  ranks  of  vagabondage,  in  which  so  many 
of  the  reckless  trappers  were  wandering,  and  had 
entered  the  more  congenial  association  with  intelli 
gent  and  respected  men.  There  was  at  that  time  at 
Taos,  a  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Lee.  He  had 
the  title  of  Captain,  having  been  formerly  an  officer 
in  the  United  States  army.  He  was  then  a  partner 
in  the  firm  of  Bent  and  Vrain,  merchants  of  renown 
in  the  fur  trade.  This  firm,  in  the  eager  pursuit  for 
furs,  had  dispatched  Captain  Lee  to  these  remote 
frontiers  in  New  Mexico. 

Bands  of  energetic  trappers  were  penetrating 
streams  and  valleys,  over  distances  thousands  of 
miles  in  extent.  Many  of  the  Indians  also,  seeking 
lucrative  trade  with  the  white  men,  had  purchased 
steel  traps  and  had  become  quite  successful  in  the 
capture  of  beavers.  Captain  Lee  had  obtained  a 
large  number  of  mules.  These  he  was  to  load  with 
packs,  containing  such  goods  as  he  thought  would 
be  the  most  eagerly  sought  for  by  the  trappers. 
Then  with  a  cavalcade  of  perhaps  forty  or  fifty 
mules,  horses  for  his  party  to  ride,  and  spare  horses 


108  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

to  meet  any  accidental  loss,  he  was  to  set  out  on  a 
long  tour  of  hundreds  of  miles,  climbing  the  moun 
tains,  threading  the  valleys,  crossing  the  prairies  in 
search  of  these  widely  wandering  bands. 

In  exchange  for  his  goods  he  received  furs;  and 
the  mules  returned  with  their  freightage  of  very  rich 
treasure.  This  was  in  the  latter  part  of  October, 
1832.  Captain  Lee  became  acquainted  with  Kit 
Carson,  and  immediately  appreciated  his  unusual 
excellencies  as  a  companion  in  an  enterprise  so 
arduous  and  perilous,  as  that  in  which  he  was  en 
gaged.  He  made  him  so  liberal  an  offer  to  join  his 
company,  that  Mr.  Carson  promptly  accepted  it. 

There  is -a  narrow  mule-path  which  has  been 
traversed  for  ages,  between  New  Mexico  and  Cali 
fornia.  The  mules  and  the  Indians  ever  travel  it  in 
single  file.  It  was  then  known  by  the  name  of  The 
Old  Spanish  Trail. 

As  merchants,  not  trappers,  they  marched,  with 
out  any  delay,  down  White  river,  forded  Green  river, 
and  struck  across  the  country  to  Windy  river.  As 
cending  its  windings,  they  reached  the  camp  of  Mr. 
Robidoux,  who,  with  twenty  men  in  his  employ,  was 
there  setting  his  traps.  They  had  scarcely  arrived 
at  the  encampment,  when  snow  began  to  fall,  and 
an  early  winter  seemed  to  be  setting  in.  It  was 
deemed  expedient  for  the  united  party  to  establish 


MARCHES  AND  ENCAMPMENTS.       109 

winter  quarters  there.  They  erected  very  comfort 
able  lodges,  of  buffalo  skins,  quite  impervious  to 
wind  and  rain,  and  made  everything  snug  for  a 
mountain  home.  They  had  food  in  abundance, 
ample  materials  for  making  and  repairing  their  cloth 
ing,  and  when  gathered  around  their  bright  and 
warm  camp-fires  seemed  to  be  in  want  of  nothing. 

Attached  to  Mr.  Robidoux's  company  there  was 
an  Indian  of  great  strength  and  agility,  in  whom 
much  confidence  was  reposed.  He  had  become  very 
expert  with  the  rifle,  and  had  shrewdly  studied  all 
the  white  man's  modes  of  attack  and  defence. 
Horses  were  in  this  remote  region  very  valuable. 
They  could  not  easily  be  obtained,  and  were  indis 
pensable  to  transport  the  furs.  They  were  worth 
two  hundred  dollars  each. 

This  Indian,  one  night,  selected  six  of  the  fleet 
est  horses,  an-d  mounting  one  and  leading  the  rest, 
with  his  stolen  property,  disappeared  over  the  track 
less  waste.  It  was  a  sum  total  loss  of  twelve  hun 
dred  dollars.  But  the  immediate  pecuniary  loss  was 
not  all,  for  the  horses  could  not  easily  be  replaced, 
and  without  them  all  the  movements  of  the  trapping 
party  were  greatly  crippled.  Mr.  Robidoux,  know 
ing  Kit  Carson's  reputation  for  sagacity  and  courage, 
immediately  applied  to  him  to  pursue  the  Indian. 
It  was  just  one  of  those  difficult  and  hazardous 


HO  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

enterprises  which  was  congenial  to  the  venturous 
spirit  of  Carson. 

There  was  a  friendly  tribe  of  Indians  in  the 
vicinity,  in  which  there  was  a  young  warrior  whose 
chivalric  spirit  had  won  the  confidence  and  regard 
of  Carson.  This  young  man  was  easily  induced  to 
join  him  in  the  chase.  But  a  short  time  was  re 
quired  for  preparation.  Grasping  their  rifles,  and 
taking  their  blankets,  they  each  mounted  a  fine 
horse  and  set  out  in  pursuit  of  the  fugitive,  who  had 
several  hours  the  start  of  them.  The  wary  thief  had 
so  successfully  concealed  the  direction  of  his  flight 
that  it  took  them  some  time  to  discover  his  trail. 
Having  at  length  found  it,  they  set  off,  at  the  high 
est  speed  which  they  felt  that  their  animals  could 
endure.  Over  soft  ground,  the  marks  left  by  six 
horses,  running  in  one  compact  band,  could  be  with 
out  difficulty  followed.  But  at  times  the  nature  of 
the  soil  was  such  that  but  a  very  indistinct  imprint 
of  their  footprints  was  left. 

As  the  thief,  in  his  flight,  conscious  that  he 
might  be  overtaken,  would  make  no  difference  be 
tween  day  and  night,  it  was  necessary  that  his  pur 
suers  should  also  press  on  without  allowing  darkness 
to  delay  them.  This  added  greatly  to  the  difficulty 
of  following  the  trail.  But  the  sagacity  of  Carson 
and  his  intelligent  Indian  comrade  triumphed  over 


MARCHES  AND  ENCAMPMENTS.       Ill 

all  these  obstacles.  For  one  hundred  miles  they  fol 
lowed  the  fugitive  with  unerring  precision.  But  now 
they  encountered  a  serious  calamity. 

This  singular  race  was  down  the  valley  of  the 
Green  river.  The  Indian's  horse  suddenly  gave  out 
completely.  He  could  go  no  farther.  Nothing  re 
mained  for  Carson  but  to  relinquish  the  pursuit,  and 
slowly  to  return  with  the  dismounted  Indian,  or  to 
continue  the  chase  alone.  Carson  could  not  endure 
the  thought  of  failure.  His  pride  of  character  led 
him  ever  to  resolve  to  accomplish  whatever  he 
should  undertake.  He  seems  not  at  all  to  have 
thought  of  the  peril  he  would  encounter  in  grappling 
with  the  savage  alone.  The  Indian  was  of  herculean 
size  and  strength,  and  of  wonderful  agility.  He  was 
well  armed,  and  thoroughly  understood  the  use  of 
his  rifle.  His  bravery  had  already  given  him  renown, 
and  it  was  certain  that  under  the  circumstances  he 
would  fight  with  the  utmost  desperation. 

Kit  Carson,  on  the  other  hand,  was  slender  and 
almost  boyish  in  stature.  In  a  conflict  with  the 
burly  savage  it  would  be  a  David  meeting  a  Goliath. 

It  was  a  peculiarity  of  Mr.  Carson's  mind,  that 
his  decisions  were  instantaneous.  He  never  lost  any 
time  in  deliberation ;  but  whatever  the  emergency, 
he  seemed  instinctively  to  know  at  the  moment,  ex 
actly  the  best  thing  to  be  done.  The  most  mature 


112  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

subsequent  deliberation  invariably  proved  the  wis 
dom  of  the  course  he  had  adopted.  This  was  said 
to  have  been  a  marked  peculiarity  in  the  mind  of 
Napoleon  I.  However  great  the  complication  of 
affairs,  however  immense  the  results  at  issue,  his 
mind  at  a  single  flash  discerned  the  proper  measures 
to  be  adopted  ;  and  without  the  slightest  agitation 
the  decision  was  pushed  into  execution. 

Carson  looked  for  a  moment  upon  his  unhorsed 
comrade,  uttered  no  words  of  lamentation,  bade  him 
good  bye,  wished  him  a  successful  return,  and  pushed 
forward  on  his  truly  heroic  enterprise.  Thirty  miles 
farther  he  rode  alone  through  the  wilderness,  care 
fully  husbanding  his  horse's  strength,  allowing  him 
occasional  moments  of  rest,  and  not  unfrequently 
relieving  him  of  his  burden  as  he  ran  along  by  his 
side.  Though  Mr.  Carson  was,  as  we  have  said,  very 
fragile  in  form,  his  sinews  seemed  tireless  as  if 
wrought  of  steel. 

At  length,  just  as  he  was  rounding  a  small  emi 
nence  on  the  open  prairie,  he  caught  sight  of  the 
Indian  with  his  stolen  cavalcade,  not  an  eighth  of  a 
mile  before  him.  He  was  mounted  on  one  of  the 
most  powerful  of  the  steeds,  moving  leisurely  along, 
leading  the  rest.  There  chanced  to  be  two  or  three 
trees  not  far  from  the  savage.  The  moment  he 
caught  sight  of  Carson,  his  keen  eye  discerned  who 


MARCHES  AND   ENCAMPMENTS.  113 

his  foe  was.  Instantly  he  leaped  from  his  horse, 
rifle  in  hand,  and  rushed  at  his  highest  speed  for  the 
trees.  Could  he  but  reach  that  covert,  Carson's  fate 
was  sealed  .beyond  any  possibility  of  escape.  v 
Sheltered  by  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  he  could  take 
deliberate  aim  at  his  foe,  exposed  on  the  open  prai 
rie  within  half  rifle  shot. 

Carson  comprehended  the  peril  of  his  position. 
He  sprang  from  his  horse,  unslung  his  rifle,  took 
calm  and  sure  aim,  and  just  at  the  moment  when  the 
Indian  was  reaching  his  covert,  the  sharp  report  was 
heard,  the  bullet  whistled  through  the  air,  the  Indian 
gave  one  convulsive  bound  and  fell  dead  upon  the 
sod.  The  savage  had  already  cocked  his  rifle.  As 
he  fell  the  piece  was  discharged,  and  the  bullet  in 
tended  for  Carson's  heart,  whizzed  harmlessly  through 
the  air.  Such  scenes  were  of  constant  occurrence 
in  this  wild  mountaineer  life.  They  produced  no 
lasting  impression.  The  shooting  of  a  bear,  a  buffalo 
or  an  Indian  seemed  about  alike  eventful.  These 
pioneers  being  entirely  beyond  the  protection  of  law, 
were  compelled  to  be  a  law  to  themselves. 

Mr.  Carson  collected  the  horses,  who  were  all 
very  weary,  and  quietly  commenced  his  return  home. 
He  did  not  urge  the  animals  at  all,  allowed  them  to 
feed  abundantly  on  the  rich  prairie,  and  after  a  few 
days'  journey,  modestly  entered  the  camp  with  his 


114  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

recaptured  animals  all  in  good  condition.  This  was 
another  of  those  victories  which  Carson  was  con 
tinually  winning,  and  which  were  giving  him  in 
creased  renown. 

A  few  days  after  his  return  to  the  encampment, 
two  or  three  wandering  trappers  entered  their  lodges, 
and  informed  them  that  a  numerous  party  were 
encamped  on  Snake  river,  about  fifteen  days'  jour 
ney  from  them.  This  party  was  in  the  employ  of 
two  men  quite  distinguished  in  the  fur  trade,  Messrs. 
Fitzpatrick  and  Bridger.  Snake  river  is  one  of  the 
tributaries  of  Green  river,  or  rather  flowing  from  the 
western  declivities  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  it  first 
enters  Bear  river,  then  Green  river,  then  the  Colo 
rado  river,  down  whose  current  it  flows  a  distance  of 
more  than  a  thousand  miles  into  the  gulf  of  Cali 
fornia. 

The  encampment  at  Snake  river  was  five  or  six 
hundred  miles  almost  due  north  from  Taos.  West 
of  the  Rocky  mountains  the  climate  is  much  more 
mild  than  in  the  same  latitudes  east  of  those  gigan 
tic  ridges.  Though  it  was  midwinter,  and  though 
many  snow-storms  were  to  be  encountered,  Mr.  Lee 
decided  to  set  out  immediately  on  that  journey, 
doubting  not  that  he  could  readily  dispose  of  his 
remaining  goods  to  Messrs.  Fitzpatrick  and  Bridger. 

The  execution  of  this  enterprise  would  require  a 


MARCHES  AND  ENCAMPMENTS.       11$ 

very  laborious  march  ;  but  still  one  not  fraught  with 
much  danger  from  the  severity  of  the  cold.  Though 
there  were  often  treeless  prairies,  whose  bleak  ex 
panse  they  must  traverse,  all  the  streams,  even  the 
smallest,  were  fringed  with  forests.  Suitable  pre 
caution  would  enable  them  every  night  to  obtain 
the  shelter  of  some  one  of  these  groves.  They  were 
almost  certain  during  the  day  to  obtain  all  the  game 
they  would  need.  A  couple  of  hours'  work  with 
their  axes,  would  enable  them  to  rear  a  sufficient 
shelter  for  the  night.  With  an  immense  fire  roaring, 
and  crackling,  and  throwing  out  its  genial  warmth  in 
front  of  their  camp,  they  could,  wrapped  in  their 
furs  and  with  their  feet  to  the  fire,  enjoy  all  the 
comfort  which  the  pioneers  of  the  wilderness  could 
desire.  No  matter  how  dismally  the  wintry  storm 
might  wail  through  the  tree-  tops,  no  matter  how 
fiercely  the  smothering,  drifting  snow-storm  might 
sweep  the  prairie,  they,  in  their  warm  and  illuminated 
cabins,  could  bid  defiance  alike  to  gale  and  drift. 
Their  hardy  animals,  ever  accustomed  to  unsheltered 
life  in  winter  as  well  as  summer,  knew  well  how  to 
find  the  grass  beneath  the  snow,  or  to  browse  upon 
the  succulent  foliage. 

The  journey,  though  it  proved  very  toilsome,  was 
successfully  accomplished.  Captain  Lee,  with  Carson, 
and  their  accompanying  band,  having  reached  the 


Il6  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

Snake  river  encampment,  readily  sold  all  his  goods, 
taking  his  pay  in  beaver  skins.  With  his  rich  pur 
chase  packed  upon  the  backs  of  his  horses,  he 
returned  to  Taos.  As  there  was  nothing  in  Captain 
Lee's  journey  home  to  require  the  services  of  so  im- 
pDrtant  a  man  as  Mr.  Carson,  the  latter  decided  to 
remain  and  unite  himself  with  the  trappers. 

The  party  was  large,  the  beavers  were  scarce,  and 
after  the  lapse  of  a  month  Mr.  Carson  decided  that 
the  prospect  of  a  rich  remuneration  in  the  distribu 
tion  of  their  furs, was  not  encouraging.  He  there 
fore  arranged  an  expedition  on  his  own  account. 
His  popularity  as  a  man  and  his  reputation  as  a 
trapper  were  such  that  every  man  in  the  party  was 
ready  to  join  him.  He  selected  three  of  the  best 
men,  and  crossing  the  main  ridge  of  the  Rocky 
mountains,  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles,  reached  the  Laramie  river,  a  stream  which 
flowed  into  the  north  fork  of  the  Platte. 

The  warm  airs  of  spring  were  now  beginning  to 
breathe  through  these  valleys.  On  the  Laramie  and 
its  tributaries,  Carson  and  his  companions  continued 
trapping  through  the  whole  summer.  They  were 
successful  beyond  their  highest  expectations.  As 
they  were  to  carry  their  furs  for  sale  to  Taos,  which 
was  on  the  west  side  of  the  mountains,  they  set  out, 
laden  with  their  goods,  to  cross  the  wide  and  rocky 


MARCHES  AND   ENCAMPMENTS.  1 1/ 

range.     It  was  slow  work  threading  these  defiles,  and 
it  required  a  journey  of  several  days. 

One  afternoon  having  travelled  for  hours  through 
a  very  dreary  and  barren  ravine,  in  which  they  had 
found  no  game,  they  halted  two  hours  before  sunset. 
Carson,  while  his  two  companions  were  arranging 
the  camp,  set  off  with  his  rifle  in  pursuit  of  supper. 
He  had  wandered  about  a  mile  from  the  camp,  when 
he  came  upon  the  fresh  tracks  of  some  elk.  Follow 
ing  their  trail  for  a  little  distance,  he  soon  discovered 
a  small  herd  of  the  beautiful  animals  grazing  upon  a 
hill-side,  just  on  the  edge  of  a  grove.  Moving  with 
great  care,  circuitously  he  entered  upon  the  covert 
of  the  trees,  crept  up  within  rifle  range,  selected  the 
largest  and  fattest  of  the  herd,  and  at  the  report  of 
the  rifle,  the  animal  stood  for  a  moment  shivering  as 
if  struck  by  paralysis,  and  then  dropped  dead. 

Carson  was  more  than  usually  elated  by  his  suc 
cess.  The  party  were  all  hungry.  The  region  was 
extremely  wild  and  barren,  and  there  was  great  danger 
that  they  would  have  to  go  supperless  to  bed. 
Scarcely  had  the  echo  of  his  rifle  shot  died  away, 
when  Carson  heard  a  terrific  roar,  directly  behind 
him.  Instantly  turning  his  head,  he  saw  two  enor 
mous  grizzly  bears,  coming  down  upon  him  at  full 
speed,  and  at  the  distance  of  but  a  few  rods. 

The  grizzly  bear  is  a  larger  animal  and  far  more 


Il8  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

ferocious,  than  the  black  bear.  A  bullet  seems  to 
prick  rather  than  to  maim  him,  and  he  will  attack 
the  hunter  with  the  most  desperate  and  persevering 
fierceness.  Carson  was  helpless.  He  had  discharged 
his  rifle.  The  brutes  were  close  upon  him,  and  there 
were  two  of  them.  They  could  outrun  him.  His 
fate  seemed  sealed. 

For  once,  Kit  Carson  was  frightened  ;  but  not  so 
much  so  as  in  the  slightest  degree  to  lose  his  self- 
possession.  With  a  lightning  glance,  his  eye  swept 
the  grove,  in  search  of  a  tree  into  whose  branches 
he  might  climb.  He  saw  one  at  a  little  distance,  and 
rushed  towards  it,  pursued  by  both  of  the  monsters, 
growling  and  gnashing  their  teeth.  With  wonderful 
agility,  he  sprang  and  caught  a  lower  branch,  and 
drew  himself  up  into  the  tree,  just  in  time  to 
escape  the  blow  which  one  of  the  bears  struck  at  him 
with  his  terrific  claws.  But  he  had  by  no  means 
obtained  a  place  of  safety.  He  had  been  compelled 
to  drop  his  rifle  in  his  flight.  The  grizzly  bear  can 
climb  a  tree,  far  more  easily  than  can  a  man.  He 
was  too  far  distant  from  the  camp  to  hope  for  aid 
from  that  quarter.  Again  it  seemed  that  a  dreadful 
death  was  inevitable. 

The  bears  hesitated  for  a  moment,  growling  and 
showing  their  claws  and  their  white  teeth.  Quick  as 
thought  Carson  cut  and  trimmed  from  the  tree  a 


CONFLICTS   WITH   THE   INDIANS.  1 19 

stout  cudgel,  which  would  neither  break  nor  bend. 
Soon,  one  of  the  bears  commenced  climbing  the  tree. 
The  nose  of  the  bear  is  very  tender,  and  is  the  only 
point  vulnerable  to  blows. 

Cudgel  in  hand,  Carson  took  his  stand  upon  one 
of  the  branches,  and  as  soon  as  the  bear's  head  came 
within  reach,  assailed  him  with  such  a  storm  of.blows, 
that  he  dropped  howling  to  the  ground.  The  other 
then  made  the  attempt  to  climb  the  tree,  and  en 
countered  the  same  fate.  The  blows  which  the 
sinewy  arm  of  Carson  had  inflicted,  evidently  gave 
the  animals  terrible  pain.  They  filled  the  forest 
with  their  howlings,  and  endeavored  to  bury  their 
snouts  beneath  the  sod.  For  some  time  they  lin 
gered  around  the  tree,  looking  wistfully  at  their  prey, 
as  if  loth  to  leave  it.  But  they  did  not  venture  to 
incur  a  repetition  of  the  chastisement  they  had  al 
ready  received.  At  length,  with  almost  a  ludicrous 
aspect  of  disconsolateness,  they  slowly  retired  into 
the  forest. 

Carson  waited  until  assured  that  they  had  en 
tirely  withdrawn.  He  then  descended  the  tree,  re 
loaded  his  rifle,  and  repairing  to  the  spot  where  he 
had  shot  the  elk,  found  that  it  had  already  been  de 
voured  by  wolves.  This  adventure  had  occupied 
many  dreadful  hours.  It  was  not  until  the  morning 
dawned,  that  Carson  found  his  way  back  to  his  anx- 


I2O  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

ious  companions  in  the  camp.  He  often  said  that 
never  in  his  life,  had  he  been  exposed  to  greater  peril, 
than  on  this  occasion. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Rendezvous. 


Fair  in  the  Wilderness. — The  Encampment. — Dispersion  of  the  Trap 
pers. — Hostility  of  the  Blackfeet. — Camp  on  the  Big  Snake 
River. — The  Blackfeet  Marauders. — The  Pursuit. — The  Calu 
met. — The  Battle. — Kit  Carson  wounded. — The  Rencontre 
with  Shunan. — The  Defeat  and  Humiliation  of  Shunan. — Re 
markable  Modesty  of  Carson. — Testimony  to  Mr.  Carson's 
Virtues. 


IN  the  morning  the  party  fortunately  found,  in 
one  of  their  traps,  a  beaver,  upon  whose  not  very  pal 
atable  flesh  they  breakfasted.  The  tail  of  a  beaver 
when  well  cooked,  is  esteemed  quite  a  delicacy.  But 
one  tail  would  not  furnish  sufficient  food  for  three 
men.  Fifteen  days  passed  away  before  Kit  Carson's 
little  band  was  re-united  with  the  larger  company  of 
Messrs.  Fitzpatrick  and  Bridger.  A  rendezvous 
had  been  appointed  at  a  spot  on  Green  river, 
which  afforded  great  attractions  for  an  encamp 
ment. 

In  some  unexplained  way  intelligence  had  been 
conveyed,  through  the  wilderness,  to  the  widely  dis 
persed  trappers,  that  a  Fair  for  trading,  would  be 


122  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

held  at  a  very  commodious  and  well-known  spot  on 
the  above-mentioned  stream.  There  was  here  a 
green,  smooth,  expanded  meadow ;  the  pasturage 
was  rich ;  a  clear  mountain  stream  rippled  through 
it,  fringed  by  noble  forest  trees.  The  vicinity  afford 
ed  an  abundance  of  game.  Here  they  reared  their 
camps  and  built  their  roaring  fires.  Band  after  band 
of  trappers  and  traders  came  in  with  loud  huzzas. 
Within  a  few  days  between  two  and  three  hundred 
men  were  assembled  there,  with  five  or  six  hundred 
horses  or  mules. 

On  one  of  the  gorgeous  days  of  the  Indian  sum 
mer,  the  encampment  presented  a  spectacle  of  beau 
ty  which  even  to  these  rude  men  was  enchanting. 
There  was  the  distant,  encircling  outline  of  the  Rocky 
mountains,  many  of  the  snow-capped  peaks  piercing 
the  clouds.  Scattered  through  the  groves,  which 
were  free  from  underbrush,  and  whose  surface  was 
carpeted  with  the  tufted  grass,  were  seen  the 
huts  of  the  mountaineers  in  every  variety  of  the  pic 
turesque,  and  even  of  the  grotesque.  Some  were 
formed  of  the  well  tanned  robes  of  the  buffalo  ;  some 
of  boughs,  twigs  and  bark;  some  of  massive  logs. 
Before  all  these  huts,  fires  were  burning  at  all  times 
of  the  day,  and  food  was  being  cooked  and  devoured 
by  these  ever-hungry  men.  Haunches  of  venison, 
prairie  chickens,  and  trout  from  the  stream,  were 


THE   RENDEZVOUS.  123 

emitting  their  savory  odors,  as  they  were  turned  on 
their  spits  before  the  glowing  embers. 

The  cattle,  not  even  tethered,  were  grazing  over 
the  fertile  plain.  It  was  indeed  a  wild, weird-like, 
semi-barbaric  Fair  which  was  thus  held  in  the  very 
heart  of  the  wilderness.  Men  of  many  nationalities 
were  present,  in  every  variety  of  grotesque  costume  ; 
and  not  a  few  Indians  were  there,  with  scarcely  any 
costume  at  all.  For  nearly  two  months  the  Fair 
continued,  with  comings  and  goings,  while  hill  and 
plain  often  resounded  with  revelry. 

At  length  the  festival  was  dissolved,  and  the 
mountaineers,  breaking  up  into  smaller  bands,  sep 
arated.  The  traders,  with  their  horses  loaded  down 
with  the  furs,  returned  to  the  marts  of  civilization. 
The  trappers  again  directed  their  steps  to  the  soli 
tudes  of  the  remoter  streams. 

Kit  Carson  joined  a  party  of  fifty  men,  to 
explore  the  highest  tributaries  of  the  Missouri  river. 
The  region  was  occupied  by  a  numerous  band  of 
warlike  Indians,  called  Blackfeet.  Many  of  the 
warriors  had  obtained  rifles.  The  itinerant  trader 
could  not  refrain  from  furnishing  the  Indians  with 
guns  and  ammunition,  at  the  exorbitant  prices  which 
the  savages  were  ready  to  pay.  It  shows  the  supe 
riority  of  the  white  men,  that  fifty  of  them  ventured 
to  enter  upon  these  plains  and  into  these  defiles, 


124  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

where  thousands  of  these  well-armed  warriors  were 
watching  for  their  destruction. 

The  enterprise  proved  more  bold  than  success 
ful.  The  trappers  found  the  Indians  so  vigilant  and 
hostile,  that  it  was  necessary  to  prot&ct  themselves 
by  an  intrenched  camp.  They  had  to  adopt  the 
most  wearisome  precautions  to  protect  their  ani 
mals,  never  allowing  them  to  graze  beyond  rifle  dis 
tance  from  the  camp,  unless  under  a  strong  guard. 
Matters  grew  daily  more  and  more  desperate.  The 
Indians  seemed  to  be  gathering  from  great  dis 
tances,  so  as  almost  to  surround  the  encampment. 
If  any  small  party  wandered  a  mile,  to  examine 
their  traps,  they  were  pretty  sure  to  find  the  traps 
stolen,  and  to  be  fired  upon  from  ambush.  This 
state  of  affairs  at  length  constrained  them  to  quit 
the  country.  Like  an  army,  exposed  hourly  to  an 
attack  from  its  foes,  this  heroic  band  of  fifty  men 
commenced  its  march  in  military  array,  watching 
with  an  eagle  eye,  knowing  not  but  that  at  any 
moment  hundreds  of  strongly  mounted,  well-armed 
savages  might  come  rushing  down  upon  them. 
They  could  indulge  in  no  rest, till  they  got  beyond 
the  territory  of  the  Blackfeet. 

A  march  of  one  or  two  hundred  miles  brought 
them  to  the  banks  of  the  Big  Snake  river.  It  was 
the  month  of  November.  In  those  northern  lati- 


THE   RENDEZVOUS.  12$ 

tudes  winter  was  setting  in  with  much  severity. 
The  hill-tops  were  covered  with  snow ;  the  streams 
were  coated  with  ice ;  freezing  blasts  from  the 
mountains  swept  the  bleak  plains  and  the  narrow 
defiles.  It  was  necessary  to  go  into  winter  quarters 
for  a  couple  of  months.  But  there  was  no  discom 
fort  in  this. 

They  selected  a  snug  valley  having  a  southern 
exposure,  with  a  northern  barrier  of  hills,  and  in  the 
midst  of  a  wide-spread  grove  which  fringed  a  pure 
mountain  stream.  There  were  fifty  men.  Every 
man  belonged  to  the  working  class.  Every  man  was 
skilled  in  the  trades  of  hunting,  trapping,  wigwam- 
building,  cooking,  and  tailoring.  A  few  hours'  work 
reared  their  cosey  huts.  Fuel  was  cheap  and  abun 
dant.  The  broadcloth  for  their  clothing, was  already 
woven  on  the  backs  of  buffaloes,  bears,  deer  and 
wolves.  Their  own  nimble  hands  speedily  formed 
them  into  garments  impervious  to  wind  and  cold. 
They  had  laid  in  quite  a  store  of  game,  which  the 
cold  weather  preserved,  and  there  was  enough  more 
within  their  reach.  And  fortunately  for  them  all, 
nature's  law  of  prohibition,  had  effectually  banished 
from  the  whole  region  all  intoxicating  drinks. 
Where  there  is  no  whiskey  there  is  rarely  any  quar 
rel.  The  pure  mountain  stream  supplied  them  with 
their  health-giving  beverage. 


126  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

In  a  few  days  everything  was  cosey  and  comfort 
able  around  them.  During  the  months  of  Decem 
ber  and  January,  and  until  the  middle  of  February, 
while  wintry  blasts  swept  the  hills,  warmth,  abun 
dance  and  friendliness  reigned  in  these  sheltered, 
cheerful  huts  in  a  Rocky  Mountain  valley.  There 
was  one  exciting  event  which  disturbed  the  serenity 
of  this  winter  encampment, 

A  band  of  Blackfeet  Indians  had  cautiously 
dogged  their  footsteps,  watching  for  an  opportunity 
to  stampede  their  horses.  One  very  dark  night,  a 
number  of  these  savages,  supported  by  quite  a 
numerous  band  of  warriors,  crept,  like  wolves,  into 
the  grazing  ground  of  the  horses,  and  succeeded  in 
seizing  eighteen  of  them,  with  which  they  made  oft' 
rapidly  towards  their  own  country.  The  loss  was 
not  discovered  until  morning.  After  a  few  moments' 
deliberation  it  was  decided  that  the  valuable  prop 
erty  must  be  recovered  if  possible,  and  the  Indians 
chastised  for  such  insolence. 

The  unanimous  voice  called  upon  Kit  Carson  to 
lead  the  enterprise,  and  to  select  his  men.  He  took 
eleven.  In  a  few  minutes  they  were  all  mounted  ;  a 
blanket  their  only  baggage ;  their  rifles  and  ammu 
nition  their  only  stores.  The  ground  was  covered 
with  snow.  These  veteran  mountaineers  knew  well 


THE   RENDEZVOUS.  I2/ 

when  and  how  to  spare  their  horses  for  a  continuous 
pursuit. 

The  Indians  being  more  numerous,  having  horses 
to  lead,  and  with  their  steeds  somewhat  jaded  with 
the  long  journey  from  their  own  country,  could  not 
travel  as  fast  as  their  pursuers  were  able  to  do  with 
their  fresh  animals.  Still  the  savages  had  so  much 
the  start  that  it  required  fifty  miles  of  sharp  riding 
before  they  were  overtaken.  Fortunately  for  the 
pursuers,  there  had  been  recently  a  heavy  fall  of 
snow,  so  that  the  Indians  were  under  the  necessity 
of  breaking  a  path.  Their  party  was  so  large  that 
the  white  men  were  furnished  with  a  clearly  marked, 
well-trodden  trail.  This  toil  through  the  snow, 
seems  quite  to  have  exhausted  the  strength  of  the 
horses  of  the  Indians.  They  had  been  compelled  to 
stop  at  noonday  to  refresh  the  animals.  A  spot  had 
been  selected  on  a  hill-side,  where  the  wind  had 
blown  away  the  snow,  and  where  the  horses  found, 
for  grazing,  an  abundance  of  succulent  dried  grass. 

Suddenly,  and  probably  not  a  little  to  their  con 
sternation,  the  twelve  trappers,  rounding  an  eminence 
on  the  full  trot,  appeared  before  them.  Carson 
halted  his  troop  to  reconnoitre  ;  for  his  foes  were 
strongly  posted  and  far  out-numbered  him.  The 
savages,  seeing  the  impossibility  of  immediately 
gathering  and  mounting  their  horses  for  flight, 


128  CHRISTOPHER   CAJRSON. 

cunningly  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  solicit  a  parley. 
According  to  their  custom,  this  flag  consisted  of  one 
of  their  warriors  advancing  entirely  unarmed,  half 
way  to  the  opposing  band.  There  he  stopped,  and 
folding  his  arms,  waited  for  some  one  of  the  other 
party  similarly  weaponless,  to  come  forward  to  con 
fer  with  him. 

These  savage  thieves  manifested  a  degree  of 
intelligence  in  their  cunning,  which  was  hardly  to 
have  been  expected  of  them.  Through  their  inter 
preter  they  assumed  an  air  of  perfect  innocence, 
affecting  great  surprise  that  the  horses  belonged  to 
the  trappers,  saying  that  they  supposed  that  they 
had  been  robbing  their  hereditary  foes,  the  Snake 
Indians. 

"  Nothing  would  induce  us,"  said  these  barbarian 
diplomatists,  "  to  commit  any  depredations  upon  our 
friends  the  white  men." 

Such  barefaced  falsehood  did  not,  for  a  moment, 
deceive  Kit  Carson.  But  it  was  needful  for  him  to 
move  with  great  caution.  The  number  of  the 
Indians,  their  position,  their  weapons,  and  the  nature 
of  the  ground  upon  which  they  had  met,  rendered 
the  result  of  a  battle  very  doubtful.  It  would  not 
do  for  Carson  to  manifest  the  slightest  trepidation, 
or  the  least  doubt  of  his  ability  to  recover  the  stolen 
property,  and  to  chastise  the  marauders. 


THE   RENDEZVOUS.  1 29 

After  some  pretty  severe  questioning,  he  suggested 
that  since  they  were  friends,  they  should  all  meet  in 
council  unarmed,  and  smoke  the  calumet  of  peace. 
There  are  generally  some  points  of  honor,  which  will 
bind  the  most  abandoned  men.  Such  was  the  smok 
ing  of  the  pipe  of  peace  with  the  savages.  A  large 
fire  was  built.  The  two  parties  met  around  it.  The 
calumet  was  lighted,  and  passed  around  to  each 
person  present.  Every  one  of  the  savages  first  puffed 
two  whiffs,  and  the  white  men  then  did  the  same. 
This  was  the  solemn  pledge  that  there  should  be  no 
treachery. 

The  council  then  commenced.  Several  of  the 
Indian  warriors  made  long  and  wordy  speeches,  with 
many  protestations  of  friendship,  but  carefully  avoid 
ing  any  offer  to  restore  the  stolen  animals.  Mr. 
Carson  listened  patiently  and  made  no  response, 
until  they  had  talked  themselves  out.  He  then 
simply  replied,  that  he  was  very  happy  to  learn  that 
the  Indians  were  friendly  in  their  feelings  toward  the 
whites,  and  that  the  taking  of  the  animals  was  a 
mistake.  The  trappers  would  therefore  overlook  the 
affair,  and  peacefully  return  home  with  the  restored 
horses. 

The  Indian  orators  again  began  to  chatter, 
branching  off  upon  various  points  irrelevant  to  the 
question  at  issue.  But  Mr.  Carson  was  in  no  mood 
6* 


130  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

to  be  drawn  into  a  profitless  palaver.  To  these 
eloquent  speeches  he  made  no  response,  but  simply 
demanded  the  return  of  the  horses. 

The  Indians  began  to  bluster,  to  talk  loud  and  to 
grow  insolent.  But  Mr.  Carson  never  allowed  him 
self  to  lose  his  temper.  A  man  in  a  passion  seldom 
acts  wisely.  With  calm  persistence  he  said,  "  I  can 
listen  to  no  overtures  of  peace,  until  our  horses  are 
restored."  Still  the  Indians  hesitated  to  provoke  a 
battle  in  which  some  of  their  warriors  would  un 
doubtedly  fall.  At  length  they  sent  out  and  brought 
in  five  of  the  poorest  and  most  exhausted  of  the 
horses,  saying  that  these  were  all  that  they  could  or 
would  restore. 

The  trappers  accepted  this  as  a  declaration  of 
war.  In  a  body  they  retired  to  seize  their  rifles  and 
to  submit  the  question  to  the  arbitrament  of  battle. 
The  savages  also,  with  tumultuous  howlings,  rushed 
to  grasp  their  guns.  The  battle  immediately  com 
menced,  each  party  seeking  the  shelter  of  trees. 
But  for  the  dread  in  which  the  savages  stood  of  the 
powers  of  the  white  men,  the  advantages  would 
have  been  in  their  favor  ten  to  one.  There  were 
unerring  marksmen  on  both  sides.  No  one  could 
expose  himself  to  the  aim  of  either  party  without 
almost  certain  death.  Kit  Carson  and  one  of  his 
companions,  by  the  name  of  Markhead,  were  the 


THE   RENDEZVOUS.  131 

foremost  of  the  band  of  trappers,  and  they  stood 
behind  trees  not  far  from  each  other.  As  Carson 
was  watching  the  movements  of  a  burly  savage,  who 
was  endeavoring  to  get  a  shot  at  him,  he  saw  another 
savage  taking  deliberate  aim,  from  his  concealment, 
at  Markhead. 

With  the  rapidity  of  thought  Carson  wheeled 
around,  and  at  the  same  instant  the  bullet  from  his 
rifle  pierced  the  heart  of  the  savage  and  he  fell  dead. 
But  there  was  another  report,  almost  simultaneous 
with  that  from  Carson's  gun.  A  bullet  whizzed  through 
the  air,  touched  the  bark  of  the  tree,  behind  which 
nearly  the  whole  of  Carson's  body  was  concealed, 
and  severed  one  of  the  sinews  of  his  shoulder,  shat 
tering  a  portion  of  the  bone.  The  blood  gushed 
freely  from  the  wound,  and  Carson  "  fell,  almost 
fainting,  to  the  ground.  With  much  difficulty  his 
friends  succeeded  in  bearing  him  off  from  the  field, 
and  in  their  rough  kindness  ministered  to  his  wants. 

This  loss  of  Carson's  guidance  and  arm  was  irre 
parable  and  fatal  to  the  trappers.  Still  they  continued 
the  battle  valiantly,  holding  the  Indians  at  bay 
until  night  came.  The  night  was  bitter  cold.  The 
trappers  could  not  light  any  fire,  for  it  would  surely 
guide  the  Indians  to  their  retreat,  and  present  them 
as  fair  targets  to  the  bullets  of  the  savages. 

Disappointed  as  these  bold  men  were,  they  had 


132  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

the  consolation  of  feeling  that  the  wound  of  their 
leader  had  not  passed  unavenged.  They  were  sure 
that  several  of  the  Indians  had  been  killed  and  many 
wounded.  Though  they  did  not  doubt  that  the 
Indians  would  still  fight  desperately  in  defence,  they 
did  not  fear  that  they  would  venture  to  pursue  and 
to  attack  the  trappers  where  they  could  choose  their 
own  ground.  The  trappers  therefore,  bearing  as 
tenderly  as  possible  their  wounded  leader,  com 
menced  their  return  to  the  camp  which  they  reached 
in  safety.  The  savages,  as  it  afterward  appeared, 
fled  as  rapidly  as  possible  in  the  other  direction. 

The  adventure  added  to  the  reputation  of  Kit 
Carson.  All  admitted  that  it  was  to  save  the  life  of 
a  comrade  that  he  had  imperilled  his  own.  And  no 
one  doubted  that,  but  for  his  wound,  his  sagacity 
would  have  triumphed  over  the  savages,  and  that  he 
would  have  brought  back  all  the  horses.  It  was 
immediately  decided,  in  general  council,  that  another 
expedition  of  thirty  men,  under  Captain  Bridger, 
should  pursue  and  chastise  the  thieves.  This  well 
armed  party  vigorously  followed  the  Indian  trail  for 
several  days.  But  the  savages  had  fled  so  rapidly, 
into  distant  and  unknown  parts,  that  they  could  not 
be  overtaken.  The  trappers  returned  disappointed 
to  their  camp. 

Spring  was  returning  with  its  milder  breezes  and 


THE   RENDEZVOUS.  133 

its  warmer  sun.  The  time  for  the  spring  hunt  had 
commenced.  There  were  no  hostile  Indians  in  the 
vicinity  to  disturb  the  trappers.  Success,  surpassing 
their  most  sanguine  expectations,  attended  their 
efforts.  Every  morning  the  trappers  came  in  from 
their  various  directions  laden  with  furs.  All  were 
elated  with  their  extraordinary  prosperity.  There 
is  the  spring  hunting  and  the  fall  hunting.  But 
there  is  a  period  in  midsummer  when  the  fur  is  value 
less  or  cannot  easily  be  taken.  Game  was  then 
abundant,  camping  was  a  luxury.  This  was  the  time 
selected  by  the  traders  for  their  Fairs  in  the  wilder 
ness.  Here,  as  we  have  mentioned,  there  was  ex 
change  of  the  commodities  needed  in  mountaineer- 
life,  for  the  furs  the  trappers  had  taken  during  the 
autumn,  winter  and  spring.  There  was  at  this  time 
another  rendezvous  on  Green  river,  where  there  was 
to  be  a  renewal  of  the  scenes  of  the  past  year. 

Kit  Carson  very  speedily  recovered  from  his 
wounds.  His  perfect  health  and  temperate  habits 
caused  a  cure, which  seemed  almost  miraculous.  As 
we  have  mentioned,  these  mountaineers  were  beyond 
the  limits  of  the  laws.  There  was  no  governmental 
protection  whatever.  Every  man  was  compelled  to 
be  his  own  protector,  filling  the  threefold  office  of 
judge,  jury  and  executioner. 

The  incident  we  are  about  to  record  would  have 


134  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

been  highly  immoral  in  any  well-ordered  community 
where  law  was  recognized  and  could  be  enforced. 
And  yet  the  same  act  occurring  in  the  savage  wil 
derness  may  have  merited  the  high  commendation 
which  it  universally  received. 

There  was  a  fellow  at  the  rendezvous,  as  the  Fair 
among  the  mountains  was  called,  known  as  captain 
Shunan.  He  was  of  unknown  nationality,  of  very 
powerful  frame,  a  bully  and  a  braggadocio.  Totally 
devoid  of  principle,  and  conscious  of  his  muscular 
superiority,  he  was  ever  swaggering  through  the 
camp,  dealing  blows  and  provoking  quarrels.  He 
was  universally  detested  and  also  feared.  Every 
one  in  the  camp  desired  to  see  him  humbled. 

One  day  Shunan  was  particularly  offensive. 
That  morning  he  had  engaged  in  two  fights,and  had 
knocked  down  and  flogged  both  of  the  men  whom 
he  had  assailed.  The  traders  had  brought  whiskey 
to  the  rendezvous,  and  probably  whiskey  was  at  the 
bottom  of  these  troubles.  Mr.  Carson  was  quietly 
talking  with  some  of  his  friends,  in  one  part  of  the 
extended  encampment,  when  the  swaggering  bully 
came  along  seeking  to  provoke  another  fight. 
"  These  Americans,"  said  he,  "  are  all  cowards ;  they 
are  all  women.  I  am  going  into  the  bush  to  cut 
some  rods  and  I'll  switch  every  one  of  them." 

Kit  Carson  immediately  stepped  forward  in  his 


THE   RENDEZVOUS.  135 

calm,  unimpassioned  way,  and  with  his  soft  and 
almost  feminine  voice  said: 

"  Captain  Shunan,  I  am  an  American  and  one  of 
the  smallest  and  weakest  of  them  all.  We  have  no 
disposition  to  quarrel  with  any  one.  But  this  con 
duct  can  no  longer  be  endured.  If  it  is  continued, 
I  shall  be  under  the  necessity  of  shooting  you." 

There  was  almost  a  magic  power  in  Kit  Carson's 
calmness.  He  had  a  piercing  eye,  before  whose 
glance  many  would  quail.  There  was  an  indescriba 
ble  something  in  his  soft  words,  which  indicated  that 
they  came  from  a  lion-like  heart.  The  whole  com 
pany  of  trappers  looked  on  in  perfect  silence,  curious 
to  see  what  would  be  the  result  of  this  bold  move 
ment. 

Shunan  at  first,  the  herculean  bully,  looked 
down  upon  his  fragile  opponent,  with  much  of  the 
contempt  with  which  Goliath  contemplated  David. 
But  apparently  that  glance  showed  him  that  he  had 
encountered  no  ordinary  foe.  The  reputation  also 
of  Kit  Carson,  as  an  able  and  fearless  man  extended 
through  the  whole  encampment.  There  was  a 
moment  of  perfect  silence,  Shunan  not  uttering  one 
word  in  reply.  He  then  turned  upon  his  heel  and 
walked  rapidly  across  the  plain  towards  his  camp. 
Carson  and  the  mountaineers  understood  perfectly 
what  this  meant.  He  had  gone  to  seize  his  rifle, 


136  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

mount  his  horse,  and  shoot   Kit  Carson  for  defying 
him. 

Carson  also  turned  his  steps  towards  his  own 
lodge.  He  took  a  loaded  pistol,  bestrode  his  horse, 
and  saw  Shunan  riding  down  towards  him  rifle  in 
hand.  All  this  had  occupied  but  a  few  minutes. 
Still  it  had  arrested  the  attention  of  nearly  the  whole 
encampment.  It  was  well  known  that  when  Carson 
and  Shunan  should  meet  on  the  hostile  field,  there 
was  to  be  no  vulgar  rough  and  tussle  fight,  but  a  de 
cisive  conflict  which  would  settle  forever  the  question, 
whether  the  one  or  the  other  was  to  be  master.  The 
common  law  of  the  wilderness  demanded  only,  that 
the  parties  should  be  left  to  settle  the  question  in 
their  own  way. 

Kit  Carson  always  rode  a  magnificent  horse.  He 
bestrode  his  steed  as  if  he  were  a  part  of  the  animal, 
and  seemed  as  unembarrassed  in  his  movements 
when  in  the  saddle,  as  when  on  the  floor  of  his  tent. 
Rapidly  he  rode  down  upon  Shunan  until  the  heads 
of  their  horses  nearly  touched.  Calmly  he  inquired, 
as  if  it  were  one  of  the  most  ordinary  occurrences  of 
life. 

"Am  I  the  person  you  are  looking  for?5'  The 
treacherous  bully  answered.  "  No,"  hoping  thus,  in 
some  degree,  to  throw  his  opponent  off  his  guard  ; 
but  at  the  same  instant,  he  brought  his  rifle  to  his 


THE   RENDEZVOUS.  137 


138  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

docile  as  a  child.  They  took  him  to  his  tent, and 
treated  liim  with  all  the  rough  nursing  which  trap 
pers  in  the  wilderness  could  bestow.  The  shattered 
bones  of  course  could  never  recover  their  former 
strength.  The  weakest  of  those  upon  whom  he 
formerly  trampled,  could  now  chastise  him,  should 
he  assume  any  of  his  former  insolent  airs.  The  tyrant 
became  docile  as  a  child,  and  the  whole  camp  re 
garded  Carson  as  its  benefactor. 

It  is  worthy  of  special  notice,  that  Mr.  Carson 
was  not  at  all  elated  by  his  victory.  He  never 
boasted  of  it.  He  never  alluded  to  it,  but  with  a 
saddened  countenance.  Whenever  the  subject  was 
referred  to,  he  always  expressed  his  heartfelt  regret, 
that  it  had  been  needful  to  resort  to  such  severe 
measures  to  preserve  the  good  order  of  the  camp. 

In  the  life  of  John  Charles  Fremont  we  find  the 
following  reference  to  Mr.  Carson  and  to  this  ad 
venture  : 

"  Christopher  Carson  is  a  remarkably  peaceable 
and  quiet  man,  temperate  in  his  habits,  and  strictly 
moral  in  his  deportment."  In  a  letter  written  from 
California  in  1847,  introducing  Carson  as  the  bearer 
of  dispatches  to  the  government,  Col.  Fremont  says : 

"'With  me  Carson  and  Truth,  mean  the  same 
thing.  He  is  always  the  same, — gallant  and  dis 
interested.' 


THE   RENDEZVOUS  139 

"  He  is  kind-hearted  and  averse  to  all  quarrel 
some  and  turbulent  scenes,  and  has  never  been  en 
gaged  in  any  mere  personal  broils  or  encounters,  ex 
cept  on  one  single  occasion,  which  he  sometimes 
modestly  describes  to  his  friends.  The  narrative  is 
fully  confirmed  by  an  eye-witness,  of  whose  presence 
at  the  time  he  was  not  aware,  and  whose  account  he 
has  probably  never  seen." 

Another  who  knew  him  well,  writes,  in  corrobora 
tive  testimony : 

"  The  name  of  Christopher  Carson  has  been 
familarly  known  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
From  its  association  with  the  names  of  great  ex 
plorers  and  military  men,  it  is  now  spread  through 
out  the  civilized  world.  It  has  been  generally  con 
ceded,  that  no  small  share  of  the  benefits  derived 
from  these  explorations,  was  due  to  the  sagacity, 
skill,  experience,  advice  and  labor  of  Christopher 
Carson.  His  sober  habits,  strict  honor,  and  great  re 
gard  for  truth,  have  endeared  him  to  all  who  can 
call  him  friend  ;  and  among  such  maybe  enumerated, 
names  belonging  to  some  of  the  most  distinguished 
men  whose  deeds  are  recorded  on  the  pages  of  Ameri 
can  history. 

"  A  few  years  ago,  the  writer  of  this  first  met 
Christopher  Carson.  It  needed  neither  a  second  in 
troduction,  nor  the  assistance  of  a  friendly  pane- 


I4O  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

gyric,  to  enable  him  to  discover,  in  Christopher  Car 
son,  those  traits  of  manhood  which  are  esteemed  by 
the  great  and  good  to  be  the  distinguishing  orna 
ments  of  character.  This  acquaintance  ripened  into 
a  friendship  of  the  purest  stamp.  Since  then  the 
writer  has  been  the  intimate  friend  and  companion 
of  Christopher  Carson  at  his  home,  in  the  wild  scenes 
of  the  chase,  on  the  war  trail,  and  upon  the  field  of 
battle. 

"Christopher  Carson  physically,  is  small  in  stature, 
but  of  compact  framework.  He  has  a  large  and 
finely  developed  head,  a  twinkling  grey  eye,  and 
hair  of  a  sandy  color  which  he  wears  combed  back. 
His  education  having  been  much  neglected  in  his 
youth,  he  is  deficient  in  theoretical  learning.  By 
natural  abilities,  however,  he  has  greatly  compensated 
for  this  defect.  He  speaks  the  French  and  Spanish 
languages  fluently,  besides  being  a  perfect  master  of 
several  Indian  dialects.  In  Indian  customs,  their 
manners,  habits,  and  the  groundwork  of  their  con 
duct,  no  man  on  the  American  Continent  is  better 
skilled." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

War  with  the  Blackfeet  Indians. 

Unsuccessful  Trapping. — Disastrous  March  to  Fort  Hall. — The  Feast 
upon  Horse-flesh. — The  Hunting  Expedition. — Its  Rare  Attrac 
tions. — Dogged  by  the  Blackfeet. — Safe  Arrival  at  the  Fort. — All 
their  Animals  Stolen  by  the  Indians. — Expedition  to  the  Black- 
feet  Country. — Winter  Quarters  with  the  Friendly  Indians. — Suf 
ferings  of  the  Animals. — Return  to  the  Blackfeet  Country. — Bat 
tle  with  the  Indians. — Incidents  of  the  Battle. 

AT  the  close  of  the  summer  months  the  rendez 
vous  was  broken  up,  and  all  parties  scattered ;  the 

^traders  to  their  homes,  within  the  precincts  of  civili 
zation,  and  the  trappers  to  the  savage  wilderness. 
KrFCarson  joined  a  party  bound  to  the  upper  waters 
of  the  Yellowstone  river.  This  is  a  large  stream  with 
many  tributaries,  all  of  which  take  their  rise  amidst 
the  eastern  ravines  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  pouring 
their  united  flood  into  the  Missouri  at  Fort  William. 
From  the  head  waters  of  the  river,  to  the  point 

•  where  it  enters  the  Missouri,  there  is  a  distance  of 
five  or  six  hundred  miles,of  perhaps  as  wild  a  coun 
try  as  can  be  found  on  this  continent. 

Here,  amidst  these  rugged  defiles,  the  mountain- 


142  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

eers  set  their  traps.  But  they  caught  no  beaver. 
They  then  struck  across  the  country,  in  a  southeast 
direction,  a  distance  of  one  or  two  hundred  miles,  to 
the  Big  Horn  river,  another  large  tributary  of  the 
Yellowstone.  Here  again  they  were  unsuccessful. 
They  then  journeyed  westward,  several  hundred 
miles,  to  what  are  called  the  Three  Forks  of  the 
Missouri  river.  Here  again  they  set  their  traps  in 
vain.  Our  disappointed  but  persistent  trappers 
turned  their  footsteps  south,  and  having  travelled 
about  two  hundred  miles,  passing  through  one  of 
the  defiles  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  they  reached 
the  head  waters  of  the  Big  Snake  river.  This  is  a 
large  stream,  some  six  hundred  miles  in  length, 
which  pours  its  flood  through  the  Columbia  river  into 
the  Pacific  Ocean. 

Here  Kit  Carson  met  a  Mr.  McCoy,  formerly  a 
trader  in  the  employment  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Com 
pany,  but  who  was  now  out  on  a  trapping  excursion. 
With  the  consent  of  his  companions,  Kit  Carson  and 
five  others  withdrew  from  the  larger  party  to  join 
their  fortunes  with  Mr.  McCoy.  A  rumor  had 
reached  them  that  abundance  of  beaver  were  to  be 
found  at  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles,  on  Mary's  river,  since  called  the  Humboldt. 
Here  again  they  were  doomed  to  disappointment. 
They  followed  down  this  stream,  trapping  in  vain, 


WAR   WITH   THE  BLACKFEET   INDIANS.         143 

for  a  hundred  miles,  till  its  waters  were  lost  in  what 
is  called  the  Great  Basin. 

These  hardy  adventurers  now  directed  their  steps 
north,  and  after  traversing  a  country,  most  of  it  wild 
and  barren,  about  two  hundred  miles  in  extent, 
again  reached  the  banks  of  the  Snake  river,  midway 
between  its  source  and  its  mouth.  Here  the  com 
pany  divided.  Mr.  McCoy  set  out  to  trap  down  the 
stream,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  to  Fort 
Walla  Walla,  which  was  near  the  junction  of  this 
river  with  the  Columbia. 

Kit  Carson  and  his  band  followed  up  the  stream 
about  the  same  distance,  trapping  most  of  the  way. 
They,  however,  encountered  continued  disappoint 
ments.  The  region  they  traversed  was  dreary  and 
barren  in  the  extreme.  Often  there  was  no  game  to 
be  found.  They  were  brought  to  the  very  verge  of 
starvation.  For  some  time  they  subsisted  upon 
nutritious  roots,  which  they  had  adopted  the  pre 
caution  to  take  with  them.  When  these  were  ex 
hausted  they  were  reduced  to  the  greatest  straits, 
and  could  be  only  saved  from  starving  by  bleeding 
the  mules  and  drinking  the  warm  blood.  This  is  a 
resource  which  could  not  be  repeated.  The  ani 
mals  were  also  very  poor,  though  enough  of  dry  and 
scanty  grass  was  found  to  keep  them  alive. 

The  whole  party  became  frightfully  emaciated, 


144  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

and  they  began  to  fear  that  they  should  be  com 
pelled  to  kill  some  of  their  mules.  But  the  men 
themselves  had  become  so  weak  it  was  with  difficulty 
they  could  carry  their  rifles.  The  loss  of  any  of 
these  useful  beasts  of  burden  would  terribly  enhance 
their  peril.  It  might  compel  them  to  abandon,  not 
only  their  traps,  but  also  their  rifles  and  their  ammu 
nition.  In  this  dreadful  emergency  they  came 
across  a  band  of  Indians  who  proved  to  be  friendly. 
But  the  savages  were  also  in  an  extremely  destitute 
condition. 

Fortunately  for  both  parties  there  was  water  at 
hand,  and  the  withered  herbage  furnished  the  ani 
mals  with  sustenance.  The  Indians  had  a  young 
horse  which  was  respectably  fat.  It  required  all  of 
Kit  Carson's  diplomatic  skill  and  knowledge  of  the 
Indian  character  to  induce  the  Indians  to  part  with 
the  animal.  It  was  not  until  after  much  maneuver 
ing  that  they  succeeded  in  obtaining  him.  He  was 
immediately  killed  and  eaten.  To  the  hungry  men, 
the  horse  flesh  afforded  as  delicious  a  feast  as  epicure 
ever  found  in  the  most  costly  viands. 

At  last  Kit  Carson  and  his  men  reached  Fort 
Hall.  Here  they  were,  of  course,  kindly  received  by 
their  countrymen,  and  all  their  wants  were  immedi 
ately  and  abundantly  supplied.  This  fort  was  then 
mainly  occupied  as  a  trading  post.  As  the  men  were 


WAR   WITH   THE  BLACKFEET   INDIANS.         145 

neither  sick  nor  wounded,  but  only  half  starved,  they 
found  themselves  in  a  few  days  quite  recruited,  and 
ready  again  for  any  adventure  of  enterprise  and  hard 
ship.  During  their  sojourn  at  the  fort  th2  men  were 
not  idle.  They  had  their  saddles,  clothing  and 
moccasins  to  repair.  All  their  outfit  was  in  the  con 
dition  of  a  ship  which  has  just  weathered  a  storm 
with  loss  of  anchor,  sails,  spars,  and  leaking  badly. 

Having  finished  their  repairs  the  party,  in  good  con 
dition,  with  their  mules,  set  out  on  a  hunting  expedi 
tion.  They  were  told  that  in  a  fertile  region,  about 
fifty  miles  south  of  them,  large  herds  of  buffaloes 
had  recently  been  seen.  The  weather  was  delight 
ful.  They  were  all  in  good  spirits.  It  was  trapper 
philosophy  never  to  anticipate  evil, — never  to  borrow 
any  trouble.  At  a  rapid  pace  they  marched  through 
a  pleasant,  luxuriant  well  watered  region,  entirely 
forgetful  of  past  sufferings. 

On  the  evening  of  the  second  day,  as  they  were 
emerging  from  a  forest,  there  was  opened  before 
them  a  scene  of  remarkable  beauty  and  grandeur. 
Far  as  the  eye  could  extend  towards  the  south,  east 
and  west  an  undulating  prairie  spread,  with  its  wil 
derness  of  flowers  of  every  gorgeous  hue,  waving  in 
the  evening  breeze  like  the  gently  heaving  ocean. 
The  sun  was  just  setting  in  a  cloudless  sky,  illumi 
nating  with  extraordinary  brilliance  the  enchanting 
7 


146  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

scene.  Here  and  there  in  the  distance  of  the  bound 
less  plain,  a  few  clumps  of  trees  were  scattered,  as 
if  nature  had  arranged  them  with  the  special  purpose 
of  decorating  the  Eden-like  landscape.  But  that 
which  cheered  the  hunters  more  than  all  the  other 
aspects  of  sublimity  and  loveliness,  were  the  immense 
herds,  grazing  on  the  apparently  limitless  prairie. 
Many  of  these  herds  numbered  thousands  and  yet 
they  appeared  but  like  little  spots  scattered  over  the 
vast  expanse.  The  hunter  had  found  his  paradise ; 
for  there  were  other  varieties  of  game  in  that  luxuri 
ant  pasture,  elk,  deer,  antelopes  and  there  was  room 
enough  for  them  all. 

Our  adventurers  immediately  selected  a  spot  for 
their  camp  on  the  edge  of  the  forest,  near  a  bubbling 
spring.  With  great  alacrity  they  reared  their  hut, 
and  arranged  all  the  apparatus  for  camping,  with 
which  they  were  abundantly  supplied.  Poles  were 
cut  from  the  forest,  and  planted  in  the  open  sunny 
prairie,  with  ropes  of  hide  stretched  upon  them. 
Upon  these  ropes  they  were  to  suspend  strips  of 
buffalo  meat  to  be  cured  by  drying  in  the  sun.  Every 
thing  was  prepared  over  night  for  the  commence 
ment  of  operations  in  the  early  dawn.  The  best 
marksmen  were  selected  for  hunters.  They  were  to 
go  into  the  prairie,  shoot  the  game  and  bring  it  in. 
The  rest  were  detailed  to  cut  up  the  meat  and  hang 


WAR  WITH   THE   BLACKFEET   INDIANS.         147 

it  on  the  ropes  to  dry.  After  it  was  sufficiently  dried, 
they  were  to  take  it  down,  and  pack  it  closely  in 
bundles  for  transportation. 

These  were  halcyon  days,  and  abundant  was  the 
harvest  of  game  which  these  bold  reapers  were  gath 
ering.  During  the  days  thus  spent,  in  shooting  the 
game  and  curing  the  meat,  the  hunters  lived  upon 
the  fat  of  the  land.  The  tongue  and  liver  of  the 
buffalo,  and  the  peculiar  fat,  found  along  the  spine 
are  deemed  great  delicacies. 

In  a  few  days  a  sufficient  supply  had  been 
obtained  to  load  all  their  pack  animals.  So  heavily 
were  they  laden  that  their  homeward  journey  was 
very  slow.  They  were  followed  by  a  foe,  of  whom 
they  had  not  the  slightest  conception.  A  band  of 
Blackfeet  Indians  had  discerned  them  from  the  far 
distance  with  their  keen  eyes.  Keeping  carefully 
concealed,  they  watched  every  movement  of  the 
unconscious  hunters.  When  the  party  commenced 
its  return  they  dogged  their  steps ;  in  the  darkness 
creeping  near  their  encampment  at  night,  watching 
for  an  opportunity  to  stampede  their  animals  and  to 
rob  them  of  their  treasure.  Though  Kit  Carson  had 
no  suspicion  that  any  savages  were  on  his  trail,  his 
constitutional  caution  baffled  all  their  cunning. 

The  fort  was  reached  in  safety,  and  the  abundance 
which  they  brought  was  hailed  with  rejoicing.  The 


148  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

party  of  hunters  encamped  just  outside  the  pickets 
of  the  fort,  where  there  was  good  pasturage  for 
their  animals,  and  where  they  could  watch  them. 
The  inmates  of  the  fort  had  fenced  in  a  large  field 
or  barnyard  which  they  called  a  corral.  Into  this 
yard  at  night  they  drove  their  animals,  from  the 
prairie,  and  placed  a  guard  over  them.  At  any  time 
a  band  of  savages  might,  like  an  apparition,  come 
shrieking  down  upon  the  animals  to  bear  them  away 
in  the  terrors  of  a  stampede,  or  might  silently,  in 
midnight  gloom,  steal  towards  them  and  lead  them 
noiselessly  away  one  by  one. 

Two  or  three  nights  after  the  arrival  of  the 
hunters  at  the  fort,  all  the  horses  and  mules  were 
driven,  as  usual,  into  the  enclosure  ;  the  bars  were 
put  up  and  a  sentinel  was  placed  on  duty.  It  so 
happened  that  the  sentinel,  that  night,  was  an  inex 
perienced  hand  ;  a  new  comer,  not  familiar  with  the 
customs  of  the  fort.  He  was  stationed,  at  a  slight 
distance  from  the  enclosure,  where  he  could  watch 
all  its  approaches,  and  give  the  alarm  should  any 
band  of  Indians  appear.  He  supposed  that  a  large, 
well  mounted  band  alone  would  attempt  the  hazard 
ous  enterprise  of  capturing  the  animals. 

The  latter  part  of  the  night,  just  before  the  dawn 
of  the  morning,  he  saw  two  men  advance,  without 
any  disguise,  deliberately  let  down  the  bars  and  drive 


WAR   WITH   THE   BLACKFEET   INDIANS.         149 

out  the  horses  and  mules.  He  supposed  them  to  be 
two  of  the  inmates  of  the  fort  or  some  of  his  own 
companions,  who  were  authorized  to  take  out  the 
herd  to  graze  upon  the  prairie.  Concluding  there 
fore  that  he  was  relieved  from  duty,  he  returned  to 
his  camp  and  was  soon  fast  asleep. 

In  the  morning  the  horses  and  mules  had  all  dis 
appeared.  They  were  nowhere  to  be  seen.  There 
was  hurrying  to  and  fro,  fora  solution  of  the  mystery, 
when  a  short  investigation  revealed  the  true  state  of 
affairs.  The  cunning  Indians  had  come  in  a  strong 
party,  well  mounted,  and  were  concealed  at  a  short 
distance.  Two  of  their  number  had  gone  forward 
and  driven  out  the  animals.  The  horses  and  mules 
are  always  ready  to  rush  along  with  any  herd  leading 
them. 

Placing  the  stolen  animals  between  the  van  and 
the  rear  guards  of  their  steeds,  the  Indians  moved 
cautiously  until  they  had  gained  some  little  distance 
from  the  fort.  Then  giving  the  rein  to  their  power 
ful  charges,  with  the  fleetness  of  the  wind  they  fled, 
over  the  hills  and  through  the  valleys,  to  their  wild 
and  distant  fastnesses. 

Not  a  single  animal  was  left  for  the  garrison  or 
the  trappers  upon  which  to  give  chase.  The  Indians, 
who  have  but  little  sense  of  right  and  wrong,  might 
well  exult  in  their  achievement.  Without  the  loss  of 


ISO  CHRISTOPHER    CARSON. 

a  single  man,  and  even  without  receiving  a  wound, 
they  had  taken  from  beneath  the  very  walls  of  the 
fort,  its  whole  herd,  leaving  the  garrison  powerless  to 
pursue.  The  loss  was  very  severe  to  the  trappers. 
Without  their  horses  and  mules,  they  could  do 
nothing.  It  only  remained  for  them  to  wait  for  the 
return  of  Mr.  McCoy  and  his  party,  who  had  prom 
ised,  after  visiting  Fort  Walla  Walla,  to  rendezvous 
at  Fort  Hall. 

The  Blackfeet  Indians  were  at  that  time,  forty 
years  ago,  the  terror  of  the  whole  region.  It  is  said 
that  the  warlike  tribe  numbered  thirty  thousand 
souls.  Of  course  there  could  not  have  been  any  very 
accurate  estimate  of  the  population,  Not  long  after 
this  the  small-pox  prevailed,  with  awful  fatality. 
One  half  of  the  tribe  perished.  The  dead  were  left 
unburied,  as  the  savages  endeavored  to  flee  in  all 
directions  from  the  fearful  pestilence. 

A  month  passed  slowly  away  before  Mr.  McCoy 
with  his  party  reached  the  fort.  Very  opportunely 
he  brought  a  fresh  supply  of  animals ;  having  pur 
chased  a  number  at  Fort  Walla  Walla.  The  united 
band  returned  to  the  Green  river.  Here  Mr.  Carson 
joined  a  party  of  one  hundred  trappers  who,  in  their 
strength,  were  to  plunge  into  the  very  heart  of  the 
Blackfeet  country,  on  the  Yellowstone  river. 

Arriving  at  the  region  where  they  were  to  set 


WAR  WITH   THE   BLACKFEET   INDIANS.         151 

their  traps,  they  divided  into  two  companies  of  fifty 
men  each.  It  was  necessary  to  be  always  armed 
and  on  the  alert,  ready  to  repel  any  sudden  attack. 
The  duty  of  one  company  was  to  explore  the  streams 
in  search  of  beavers  and  game  for  food.  The  other 
party  guarded  the  camp,  dressed,  rudely  tanned,  and 
packed  the  skins,  and  cooked  the  food.  The  trappers 
were  so  strong,  that  they  not  only  went  where  they 
pleased,  but  they  were  eager  to  come  in  contact  with 
the  savages,  that  they  might  pay  off  old  scores. 
They  were,  however,  not  molested.  Not  an  Indian 
crossed  their  path.  They  subsequently  learned,  as  a 
solution  of  the  mystery,  that  at  that  time  the  small 
pox  was  making  dreadful  ravages.  Thousands  were 
dying  and  it  was  feared  the  whole  tribe  would  perish. 
The  Indians  in  their  terror,  had  secluded  themselves 
in  the  remotest  solitudes. 

Winter  was  now  approaching,  with  its  freezing 
gales,  its  drifting  snows,  its  icy  streams.  It  was  ne 
cessary  to  find  winter  quarters  for  two  or  three 
months.  The  region,  drained  by  the  Yellowstone 
and  its  tributaries,  extends  over  thousands  of  square 
miles.  In  one  portion  of  the  territory  there  was  a 
mountainous  region  inhabited  by  the  Crow  Indians. 
As  they  were  the  deadly  foe  of  the  Blackfeet  tribe, 
they  were  disposed  to  cultivate  friendly  relations  with 
the  whites,  and  to  enter  into  an  alliance  with  them. 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

Quite  a  large  band  of  the  Crow  Indians  joined 
the  trappers,  and  conducted  them  to  one  of  their 
most  sheltered  valleys.  Here  they  reared  their  huts 
and  lodges.  The  mountain  ridges  broke  the  force 
of  the  cold  north  wind.  They  had  water  and  fuel  in 
abundance.  Game  was  not  scarce  and  they  had  also 
an  ample  supply  of  dried  meat  in  store.  But  as  the 
season  advanced,  the  cold  became  increasingly  se 
vere,  until  at  last  it  was  more  intense  than  the  trap 
pers  had  ever  before  experienced.  Still  the  trappers, 
with  their  rousing  fires  and  abundant  clothing,  found 
no  difficulty  in  keeping  warm. 

But  the  animals  suffered  terribly.  Snow  cover 
ed  the  valleys  to  such  a  depth,  that  they  could  ob 
tain  no  food  by  grazing.  It  was  with  the  utmost 
difficulty  they  kept  the  animals  alive.  They  cut 
down  cotton-wood  trees  and  thawed  the  bark  and 
small  branches  by  their  fires.  This  bark  was  then 
torn  into  shreds,  sufficiently  small  for  the  animal  to 
chew.  The  rough  outside  bark  was  thrown  aside, 
and  the  tender  inner  bark,  which  comes  next  the 
body  of  the  tree,  was  carefully  peeled  off  for  food. 
There  is  sufficient  nutrition  in  this  barely  to  keep  the 
animals  alive  for  a  time,  but  they  can  by  no  means 
thrive  under  it. 

Quite  a  company  of  Indians  reared  their  lodges 
in  the  same  valley  with  the  trappers.  In  the  pleas- 


WAR  WITH   THE   BLACKFEET  INDIANS.         1 53 

ant  days  they  vied  with  each  other,  in  various  ath 
letic  games,  and  particularly  in  their  skill  in  hunting. 
Both  parties  were  very  happy  in  this  truly  paternal 
intercourse.  There  were  no  quarrels,  for  there  was 
no  whiskey  there.  One  barrel  of  intoxicating  drink 
would  have  changed  kindly  greetings  into  hateful 
brawls,  and  would  have  crimsoned  many  knives.  In 
dependently  of  the  anxiety,  the  trappers  felt  for  their 
suffering  animals,  the  six  or  eight  weeks  of  wintry 
cold  passed  away  very  pleasantly.  The  returning  sun 
of  spring  poured  its  warmth  into  the  sheltered  val 
ley,  melting  the  snows  and  releasing  the  streams. 
With  wonderful  rapidity  the  swelling  bud  gave  place 
to  leaves  and  blossoms.  The  green  grass  sprang  up 
on  the  mounds,  the  animals  rejoiced  and  began  even 
to  prance  in  their  new-found  vigor.  The  winter 
had  gone  and  the  time  for  the  singing  of  birds  had 
come. 

The  trappers  were  in  need  of  certain  supplies, 
before  they  could  advantageously  set  out  on  their 
spring  hunting  tour.  They  therefore  sent  two  of 
their  party  to  obtain  these  supplies  at  Fort  Laramie, 
which  was  one  or  two  hundred  miles  south  of  them, 
on  the  Platte  river.  They  did  not  return.  They 
were  never  heard  from.  It  is  probable  that  they 
fell  into  the  hands  of  hostile  Indians,  who  killed 
them  and  took  possession  of  all  their  effects.  This 


154  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

was  another  of  those  innumerable  tragedies,  ever  oc 
curring  in  this  wicked  world,  which  are  only  record 
ed  in  God's  book  of  remembrance. 

The  trappers,  after  waiting  for  their  companions 
for  some  time,  were  compelled  to  enter  upon  their 
spring  hunt  without  them.  They  continued  for 
some  time  setting  their  traps  on  the  Yellowstone 
river,  and  then  struck  over  to  what  is  called  the 
Twenty  five  yard  river.  After  spending  a  few  weeks 
there,  they  pushed  on  to  the  upper  waters  of  the 
Missouri,  where  those  waters  flow  through  the  most 
rugged  ravines  of  the  Rocky  mountains.  Here 
again  they  were  in  the  vicinity  of  their  Blackfeet 
foes.  And  they  learned,  through  some  wanderer  in 
the  wilderness,  that  the  main  village  of  that  tribe 
was  at  the  distance  of  but  a  few  miles  from  them. 

In  the  previous  collisions  between  the  Blackfeet 
and  the  trappers,  the  Indians  had  gained  decidedly 
the  advantage.  They  had  at  one  time  driven  the 
trappers  entirely  out  of  their  country,  having  stolen 
their  traps,  and  effectually  prevented  them  from 
taking  furs.  In  the  conflict,  in  which  Kit  Carson 
was  wounded,  the  Indians  had  retired,  though  with 
loss,  still  victorious,  carrying  with  them  all  their  booty 
of  stolen  horses.  Most  humiliating  of  all,  they  had, 
without  firing  a  shot,  captured  all  the  animals  of 
the  garrison  and  the  trappers  at  Fort  Hall.  And  it 


WAR   WITH   THE   BLACKFEET  INDIANS.         155 

was  most  probable  that  they  had  robbed  and  mur 
dered  the  two  men  who  had  been  sent  to  fort  Lar- 
amie. 

The  trappers  were  all  burning  to  avenge  these 
wrongs.  The  thievish  Blackfeet  had  made  these  as 
saults  upon  them  entirely  unprovoked.  The  savages 
were  greatly  elated  with  their  victories,  and  it  was 
deemed  essential  that  they  should  be  so  thoroughly 
chastised,  that  they  would  no  longer  molest  those 
who  were  hunting  and  trapping  within  those  wild 
solitudes.  The  whole  party  of  trappers  struck  the 
trail  which  led  to  the  Indian  encampment,  and  cau 
tiously  followed  it,  until  they  were  within  ten  or  fif 
teen  miles  of  their  foes. 

The  company,  numbering  a  hundred  men,  with 
one  or  two  hundred  horses  and  mules,  presented  a  very 
imposing  cavalcade.  A  council  of  war  was  held,  and 
Kit  Carson,  with  five  picked  men  was  sent  forward  to 
reconnoitre  the  position  of  the  village,  and  to  decide 
upon  the  best  points  of  attack.  The  rest  of  the  com 
pany  retired  to  some  little  distance  from  the  trail, 
where  they  concealed  themselves,  obliterating,  as  far 
as  possible,  their  tracks.  It  was  deemed  necessary  to 
proceed  with  the  utmost  caution.  The  Blackfeet 
composed  one  of  the  most  numerous  and  ferocious  of 
all  the  Indian  tribes.  Their  warriors  were  numbered 
by  thousands.  It  was  certain  that  they  would  fight, 


156  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

and  that  a  high  degree  of  intelligence  would  guide 
them  in  the  battle. 

After  the  lapse  of  a  few  hours,  Kit  Carson  returned 
from  his  perilous  adventure.  He  had  attained  an 
eminence  from  which  he  could  look  down  upon  the 
valleys  of  the  foe,  which  was  in  one  part  of  an  ex 
tended  plain  in  the  midst  of  hills.  He  reported  that 
there  was  some  great  agitation  in  the  camp.  There 
were  runnings  to  and  fro,  driving  in  the  animals  from 
their  pasturage,  saddling  and  packing  them,  and 
sundry  other  preparations  indicative  of  a  general 
alarm.  It  might  be  that  their  braves  were  entering 
on  the  war-path.  It  might  be  that  they  were  prepar 
ing  for  flight.  It  was  not  improbable  that,  through 
their  scouts,  they  had  gained  intimation  of  the  ap 
proach  of  the  trappers.  A  council  of  war  was  held. 
Promptly  it  was  decided  to  send  out  forty-three  men, 
under  the  leadership  of  Kit  Carson  to  give  the  Black- 
feet  battle.  The  remaining  men,  fifty-five  in  number, 
were  left,  under  Mr.  Fontenelle,  to  discharge  the  re 
sponsible  duty  of  guarding  the  animals  and  the 
equipage.  They  were  also  to  move  slowly  on,  as  a 
reserve  force,  who  could  rush  to  the  aid  of  the  ad 
vanced  force,  or  upon  which  those  men  could  fall 
back  in  case  of  disaster. 

They  soon  reached  the  village.  It  was  pretty 
evident  that  they  were  expected.  But  the  savages 


WAR   WITH   THE   BLACKFEET   INDIANS.        I$? 

had  only  bows  and  arrows.  This  gave  the  assailants 
an  immense  advantage.  They  had  both  rifles  and 
pistols.  Taking  a  circuitous  route,  they  approached 
the  village  from  an  unexpected  quarter.  They  were 
scarcely  seen  before  a  discharge  of  their  guns  struck 
down  ten  of  the  bravest  warriors.  But  at  that  time 
it  was  an  encampment  rather  than  a  village,  occupied 
mainly  by  fighting  men,  who  greatly  outnumbered 
their  assailants.  The  Indians  fought  heroically. 
Each  man  instantly  sprang  behind  some  tree  where, 
protected,  he  could  watch  his  opportunity  and  keep 
his  foe  at  a  distance.  When  a  rifle  was  once  dis 
charged,  it  took  some  time  to  reload ;  but  the  In 
dians  could  throw  a  dozen  arrows  in  a  ^minute,  with 
sinewy  arms,  with  sure  aim  and  with  deadly  power. 

The  battle  was  mainly  in  the  forest,  neither  party 
being  willing  to  encountre  the  exposure  of  the  open 
plain.  The  Indians,  behind  the  trees,  watched  their 
opportunity.  As  there  were  several  Indians  to  one 
white  man,  and  the  trappers  were  necessarily  dis 
persed,  seeking  the  protection  of  the  trees,  the  In 
dians,  as  soon  as  a  rifle  was  discharged,  would  dodge 
from  tree  to  tree,  ever  drawing  nearer  to  their  assail 
ants.  For  three  hours  this  battle  continued.  The 
ammunition  of  the  trappers  was  nearly  exhausted, 
and  they  remitted  the  energy  of  their  fire,  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  their  companions.  The  Indians  com- 


158  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

prehended  the  state  of  things  and  sagaciously  re 
solved  to  make  a  simultaneous  charge,  before  the 
trappers  should  have  opportunity  to  replenish  their 
powder-horns  and  bullet-pouches. 

There  was  a  distance  of  many  rods  between  the 
two  contending  parties.  The  ground  was  mainly 
level,  and  there  was  no  underbrush  to  intercept  the 
view.  The  trappers  saw  and  understood  the  move 
ment  for  the  charge.  Every  man  was  prepared,  with 
his  loaded  rifle  and  revolver.  On  came  the  Indians, 
dodging,  as  they  could,  from  tree  to  tree,  but  with 
an  impetuosity  of  onset  which  excited  the  admiration 
of  their  opponents.  The  forest  resounded  with  their 
shrill  war-whoop.  Carson  requested  every  man  to 
withhold  his  fire  until  sure  of  his  aim.  "  Let  not  a 
single  shot,"  said  he, "  be  lost.''  It  was  a  fearful  mo 
ment,  for  upon  that  moment  depended  the  life  of 
every  man  in  the  party.  Should  the  outnumbering 
Indians  succeed  in  passing  the  narrow  intervening 
space,  the  trappers  would  inevitably  be  overpowered 
and  from  the  spear-heads  of  the  savages,  forty- 
three  scalps  would  be  waved  as  the  banners  of  their 
victory. 

There  was  no  simultaneous  discharge  but  a  rat 
tling  fire,  occupying  perhaps  sixty  seconds.  Forty- 
three  Indian  warriors  were  struck  by  the  bullets. 
Eleven  fell  instantly  dead ;  the  others  were  more  or 


WAR   WITH   THE   BLACKFEET   INDIANS.         159 

less  crippled  by  their  wounds.  Still  the  brave 
Indians  rushed  on,  when  suddenly  there  was  opened 
upon  them  another  deadly  fire  from  the  revolvers. 
This  was  a  reinforcement  of  the  strength  of  their 
foes  which  the  savages  had  not  anticipated.  They 
hesitated,  staggered  as  if  smitten  by  a  heavy  blow, 
and  then  slowly  and  sullenly  retreated,  until  they 
were  far  beyond  pistol  range.  Some  of  the  moun 
taineers  were  on  horseback  to  carry  swift  aid  to  any 
imperilled  comrade.  Kit  Carson  was  also  mounted 
and  with  his  eagle  eye  was  watching  every  act  of  his 
little  army. 

One  of  his  aids,  a  mountaineer  by  the  name  of 
Cotton,  was  thrown  from  his  horse,  which  slipped 
upon  some  smooth  stones,  and  fell  upon  his  rider, 
fastening  him  helpless  to  the  ground.  Six  Indians 
near  by  rushed,  with  exultant  yells  and  gleaming 
tomahawks, for  his  scalp.  Kit  Carson,  calling  on  two 
or  three  to  follow  him,  sprang  from  his  horse  and  with 
the  speed  of  an  antelope  was  by  the  side  of  his  fallen 
comrade.  The  crack  of  his  rifle  was  instantly  heard ; 
the  foremost  of  the  savages  gave  one  convulsive 
bound,  uttered  a  death  cry  and  fell  weltering  in  his 
blood.  The  rest  immediately  fled,  but  before  they 
could  reach  a  place  of  safety  three  more  were  struck 
down  by  the  balls  of  those  who  had  followed  Car 
son.  Two  only  of  the  six  savages  escaped. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

Encampments  and  Battles, 

The  Renewal  of  the  Battle.— Peculiarities  of  the  Fight.— The  Rout. 
— Encampment  in  the  Indian  Village. —  Number  of  Trappers 
among  the  Mountains. — The  New  Rendezvous. — Picturesque 
Scene  of  the  Encampment. — The  Missionary  and  the  Nobleman. 
— Brown's  Hole. — The  Navajoes. — Kit  Carson  Purveyor  at  the 
Fort. — Trapping  at  the  Black  Hills. — Again  upon  the  Yellow 
stone. — Pleasant  Winter  Quarters. — Signs  of  the  Indians. — Severe 
Conflict. — Reappearance  of  the  Indians. — Their  utter  Discom 
fiture. 

THERE  was  now  a  brief  lull  in  the  battle.  The 
Indians  had  not  left  the  field  and  by  no  means 
acknowledged  a  defeat.  With  very  considerable 
military  skill  they  selected  a  new  position  for  the 
renewal  of  the  fight,  on  broken  ground  among  a 
chaos  of  rocks,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
from  the  line  of  their  opponents.  They  were  evi 
dently  aware  of  the  strong  reserve  approaching  to 
'oin  the  trappers.  With  this  reserve  it  was  necessary 
that  the  trappers  should  make  the  attack,  for  they 
could  not  venture  to  move  on  their  way  leaving  so 
powerful  a  hostile  army  behind  them. 

The  Indians  manifested  very  considerable  powers 


ENCAMPMENTS  AND   BATTLES.  l6l 

of  reasoning,  and  no  little  strategic  skill.  They 
took  the  defensive,  and  chose  a  position  from  which 
it  would  be  almost  impossible  to  dislodge  them. 
The  trappers  awaited  the  arrival  of  their  comrades, 
and  obtained  a  fresh  supply  of  ammunition.  The 
whole  united  band  prepared  for  a  renewal  of  the 
battle.  Thus  far  not  one  of  the  trappers  had  been 
wounded,  excepting  Cotton,  who  was  severely 
bruised  by  the  fall  of  his  horse. 

About  an  half  hour  elapsed  while  these  move 
ments  were  taking  place  with  each  party.  The  trap 
pers  all  dismounted  and  then,  in  a  long  line,  with 
cheers  advanced  in  Indian  fashion,  from  tree  to  tree, 
from  rock  to  rock,  every  moment  drawing  nearer  to 
their  determined  foes.  The  great  battle,  the  Water 
loo  conflict,  now  commenced.  Small  as  were  the 
numbers  engaged,  limited  as  was  the  field  of  action, 
there  was  perhaps  never  a  battle  in  which  more 
personal  courage  was  displayed,  or  in  which  more 
skill  and  endurance  was  called  into  requisition. 
Not  unfrequently  a  trapper  would  occupy  one  side 
of  a  large  boulder  and  an  Indian  warrior  the  other, 
each  watching  for  the  life  of  his  adversary,  while 
every  fibre  of  mental  and  muscular  power  were 
roused  to  activity.  Neither  could  leave  his  covert 
without  certain  death,  and  one  or  the  other  must 
inevitably  fall. 


1 62  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

For  an  hour  or  two  this  dreadful  conflict  contin 
ued.  Gradually  the  superiority  of  the  white  man, 
and  the  vast  advantage  which  the  rifle  gave,  began 
to  be  manifest.  The  Indians  were  slowly  driven 
back,  from  tree  to  rock,  from  rock  to  tree.  Many 
of  their  warriors  had  fallen  in  death.  The  ground 
was  crimsoned  with  their  blood.  The  disheartened 
Indians  began  to  waver,  then  to  retreat ;  and  then 
as  the  trappers  made  a  simultaneous  charge,  and  the 
rifle  bullets  whistled  around  them,  to  run  in  com 
plete  rout,  scattering  in  all  directions.  It  was  in 
vain  to  attempt  any  pursuit.  The  women  and  chil 
dren  of  the  Blackfeet  village  were  on  an  eminence, 
about  a  mile  from  their  homes,  awaiting  the  issue 
of  the  conflict.  They  also  instantly  disappeared, 
seeking  refuge  no  one  knew  where. 

In  this  battle  a  large  number  of  the  Indians  were 
killed  or  wounded,  we  know  not  how  many.  But 
three  of  the  trappers  were  killed,  though  many 
others  received  wounds  more  or  less  severe.  The 
Indian  village  was  located  on  very  fine  camping- 
ground.  They  left  nothing  behind  them.  An 
Indian  woman  needs  no  Saratoga  trunk  for  her 
wardrobe.  Their  comfortable  wigwams  were  left 
standing.  Here  Fontenelle  allowed  his  party  to 
rest  for  several  days.  The  dead  were  to  be  buried, 
the  wounded  to  be  nursed,  damages  to  be  repaired, 


ENCAMPMENTS  AND   BATTLES.  163 

and  a  new  supply  of  provisions  to  be  obtained. 
Free  from  all  fear  of  molestation,  the  trappers  ex 
plored  the  region  for  miles  around,  and  were  very 
successful  in  taking  beavers. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  various  parties  of  trap 
pers,  then  wandering  among  the  mountains,  num 
bered  at  least  six  hundred  men.  While  our  trap 
pers  were  thus  encamped,  elated  with  their  victory 
over  the  Indians,  and  still  more  exultant  over  their 
daily  success  in  trapping  and  hunting,  one  day  an 
express  rode  into  the  camp,  and  informed  them 
that  the  rendezvous  was  to  be  held,  that  year,  upon 
the  Mud  river,  a  small  stream  flowing  circuitously 
from  the  south  into  Green  river.  The  party,  hav 
ing  a  large  stock  of  beaver  on  hand,  set  out  to  cross 
the  main  ridge  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  to  dispose 
of  their  furs  at  the  rendezvous.  It  required  a  jour 
ney  of  eight  days.  As  the  trapping  party,  nearly  a 
hundred  in  number,  all  mounted  on  gayly  capar 
isoned  steeds,  and  leading  one  or  two  hundred  pack 
horses,  entered  the  valley  over  the  distant  emi 
nences,  there  were  two  scenes  presented  to  the  eye, 
each  peculiar  in  many  aspects  of  sublimity  and 
beauty. 

It  was  midsummer.  The  smooth  meadow  upon 
which  the  encampment  was  held  was  rich,  ver 
dant  and  blooming,  a  beautiful  stream  flowing 


164  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

along  its  western  border.  A  fine  grove  fringed  the 
stream  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  up  and  down. 
Not  a  tree,  stump,  or  stone  was  to  be  seen  upon 
the  smooth,  lawn-like  expanse.  Its  edge,  near  the 
grove, was  lined  with  a  great  variety  of  lodges,  con 
structed  of  skins  or  bark,  or  of  forest  boughs. 
Horses  and  mules  in  great  numbers  were  feeding  on 
the  rich  herbage,  while  groups  of  trappers,  Cana 
dians,  Frenchmen,  Americans  and  Indians,  were  scat 
tered  around,  some  cooking  at  their  fires,  some  en 
gaged  in  eager  traffic,  and  some  amusing  themselves 
in  athletic  sports.  It  was  a  peaceful  scene,  where, 
so  far  as  the  eye  could  discern,  man's  fraternity  was 
combined  with  nature's  loveliness  to  make  this  a 
happy  world.  Such  was  the  spectacle  presented  to 
the  trappers  as  they  descended  into  the  valley. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  trappers  themselves  con 
tributed  a  very  important  addition  to  the  pictur- 
esqueness  of  the  view.  Half  a  mile  from  the  en 
campment,  in  the  northeast,  the  land  rose  in  a  gen 
tle,  gradual  swell,  smooth,  verdant  and  treeless,  per 
haps  to  the  height  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  Down 
this  declivity  they  were  descending,  with  their  horses 
and  their  pack  mules,  in  a  long  line  of  single  file. 
They  were  way-worn  pilgrims,  and  the  grotesqueness 
of  their  attire,  and  their  unshaven,  uncut,  and  almost 
uncombed  locks,  added  to  their  weird-like  aspect. 


ENCAMPMENTS  AND   BATTLES.  165 

Here  the  party  met  with  two  gentlemen,  such  as 
were  rarely,  perhaps  never  before,  seen  on  such  an 
occasion.  One  was  a  Christian  missionary,  Father 
De  Smidt,  who,  in  obedience  to  the  Saviour's  com 
mission,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  my 
Gospel  to  every  creature,"  had  abandoned  the  com 
forts  of  civilization,  to  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  sav 
ages,  that  he  might  teach  them  that  religion  of  the 
Bible  which  would  redeem  the  world  by  leading  all 
men  to  repentance,  to  faith  in  an  atoning  Saviour, 
and  to  endeavor  "  to  do  justly,  to  love  mercy,  and 
to  walk  humbly  with  God." 

The  other  stranger  was  an  English  nobleman,  a 
gentleman  of  high  character,  of  refinement  and  cul 
ture.  In  his  ancestral  home  he  had  heard  of  the 
sublimities  of  the  wilderness ;  the  wide-spread  prai 
ries  ;  the  gloomy  forests ;  the  solitary  lakes.  He 
had  heard  of  savage  men,  numbering  tens  of  thou 
sands  in  their  tribes,  almost  as  wild,  as  devoid  of 
human  traits  as  were  the  buffaloes  whom  they  pur 
sued  with  whoop  and  halloo  over  the  plains.  Curi 
osity,  a  very  rational  and  praiseworthy  curiosity, 
had  lured  him  into  these  remote  realms,  that  he 
might  behold  the  wondrous  works  of  God,  and  that 
he  might  study  the  condition  of  his  brother  man 
without  the  Gospel. 

Kit  Carson  was,  by  a  natural  instinct,  drawn  into 


1 66  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

association  with  this  refined  English  gentleman. 
They  could  each  appreciate  the  other.  They  soon 
became  acquainted,  and  a  warm  friendship  sprang 
up  between  them.  Mr.  Carson  subsequently  wrote, 
in  reference  to  Sir  William  Stuart : 

"  For  the  goodness  of  his  heart  and  numerous 
rare  qualities  of  his  mind,  he  will  always  be  remem 
bered  by  those  of  the  mountaineers  who  had  the 
honor  of  his  acquaintance." 

The  terms  of  the  commendation  show  the  virtues 
which  Mr.  Carson  could  appreciate,  and  which  he 
was  accustomed  to  practice.  Of  the  missionary, 
Rev.  Mr.  De  Smidt,  it  has  been  very  truly  written : 

"  Perhaps  there  never  was  a  person,  in  the  wilds 
of  America,  who  became  so  universally  beloved,  both 
by  the  white  and  red  man.  While  in  the  mountains 
he  acted  with  untiring  zeal  for  the  good  of  all  with 
whom  he  came  into  contact.  Wherever  duty  called 
him,  there  he  was  sure  to  be  found,  no  matter  what 
the  obstacles  or  dangers  spread  upon  his  path.  He 
worked  during  a  long  series  of  years  in  these  danger 
ous  localities,  and  when  he  at  length  returned  to 
civilization  he  left  an  indelible  name  behind  him." 

The  Rendezvous  continued  for  twenty  days.  It 
was  a  constant  festival,  like  the  Olympic  games  of 
the  Greeks,  or  the  renowned  Tournaments  of  more 
modern  days,  with  the  exception  that  business  was 


i 


ENCAMPMENTS  AND   BATTLES.  l6/ 

intimately  blended  with  pleasures.  It  at  length 
broke  up  into  small  parties.  Kit  Carson,  with  seven 
companions,  followed  down  the  Green  river,  to 
Brown's  Hole ;  a  narrow  but  sunny  and  fertile  val 
ley  about  sixteen  miles  long.  Here  he  found  a 
party  of  traders,  who  were  on  an  excursion  to  a  nu 
merous  and  quite  wealthy  band  of  Indians,  called 
the  Navajoes.  They  seemed  to  have  attained  a  de 
gree  of  civilization  considerably  above  that  of  any  of 
the  other  tribes.  They  had  fixed  abodes ;  had  im 
mense  herds  of  sheep,  horses  and  mules.  They  had 
also  attained,  the  art  by  a  slow  and  tedious  process, 
of  weaving  admirable  woolen  blankets  ;  thick,  warm 
and  strong.  These  blankets  were  quite  renowned 
throughout  all  that  region,  and  brought  a  high  price. 
Kit  Carson  joined  the  traders  in  their  expedition  to 
the  country  of  the  Navajoes. 

Here  they  purchased  many  of  these  blankets,  and 
a  large  drove  of  strong,  fat  mules.  With  these  they 
crossed  the  mountains,  to  a  distance  of  three  or 
four  hundred  miles,  to  a  fort  on  the  south  fork  of  the 
Platte  river.  At  this  place  they  disposed  of  their 
blankets  and  cattle  to  great  advantage,  and  Mr.  Car 
son  promptly  returned  to  the  companions  he  had  left 
at  Brown's  Hole.  The  traders  undoubtedly  receiv 
ed  in  payment  the  only  currency  of  the  country, 
beaver  skins.  These  they  probably  took  with  them 


168  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

to  St.  Louis  for  ultimate  sale.  We  know  not  how 
Mr.  Carson  invested  his  earnings.  It  is  very  certain 
that  he  did  not  squander  them  in  riotous  living. 
Subsequent  events  indicate  that  they  were  sent 
through  the  hands  of  the  traders,  Messrs.  Thompson 
and  Sinclair,  to  the  States,  there  to  be  deposited  to 
his  credit. 

The  autumnal  months  had  now  passed  away,  and 
the  blasts  of  approaching  winter  warned  the  hunters 
that  they  must  seek  a  refuge  from  its  storms. 

Mr.  Carson  had  produced  so  favorable  an  impres 
sion  upon  the  men  at  the  fort  on  the  Platte  river, 
that  they  sent  him  a  very  urgent  invitation  to  re 
turn,  and  take  the  very  responsible  position  of  stew 
ard  or  purveyor  for  the  garrison  during  the  winter. 
They  offered  him  such  ample  emolument  that  he  ac 
cepted  their  proposition,  though  many  other  parties 
were  eager  to  obtain  his  services.  I  cannot  help  re 
marking,  in  this  connection,  in  special  reference  to 
any  of  my  young  readers,  that  this  is  the  true  secret 
of  success  in  life.  In  whatever  position  you  are,  in 
whatever  business  you  are  engaged,  be  as  faithful 
and  perfect  as  possible.  Promotion  and  prosperity 
are  then  almost  sure. 

The  task  which  now  devolved  upon  Mr.  Carson 
was,  with  his  rifle  and  such  aid  as  he  might  need,  to 
supply  all  the  animal  food  which  twenty  men  might 


ENCAMPMENTS  AND   BATTLES.  169 

require.  He  performed  this  duty,  not  only  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all,  but  such  was  his  energy,  his  skill, 
his  spirit  of  self-sacrifice,  his  entire  devotion  to  his 
work,  and  the  wonderful  success  which  attended  his 
exertions,  that  he  secured  universal  affection  and 
esteem. 

With  the  returning  sun  of  spring,  Mr.  Carson, 
having  well  performed  his  task,  joined  Mr.  Bridger 
and  four  other  trappers,  to  go  to  what  were  called 
the  Black  Hills.  This  was  a  limited  mountainous 
range,  far  away  in  the  north,  extending  a  distance  of 
about  a  hundred  miles  between  the  Laramie  and 
Sweetwater  rivers.  These  streams  were  tributaries 
of  the  north  fork  of  the  Platte.  This  region  had  per 
haps  never  before  been  visited  by  either  trapper  or 
hunter.  They  found  beavers  in  plenty,  and  their 
success  was  excellent. 

With  well  laden  mules  they  again  crossed  the 
Rocky  mountains  to  reunite  themselves  with  the 
main  camp  of  the  trappers  on  Green  river.  They 
trapped  on  their  way  and  continued  success  attend 
ed  them.  Thus  enriched,  they  accompanied  the 
main  party  to  a  tributary  of  the  Wind  river,  where 
the  annual  Rendezvous  was  that  year  to  be  held. 
Here  were  renewed  the  usual  scenes  of  the  trapper's 
great  Fair  which  we  have  already  described. 

As  the  Rendezvous  broke  up,  Mr.  Carson  joined 


170  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

a  large  party,  and  recrossed  the  mountains  to  the 
Yellowstone,  where  they  had  already  had  so  many 
bloody  encounters  with  the  Blackfeet  Indians. 
They  trapped  successfully  until  the  inclement  weath 
er  forced  them  into  winter  quarters.  Nothing  occur 
red  of  any  moment,  until  mid-winter.  Daily  parties 
went  out  for  game  and  they  always  returned  with 
an  ample  supply.  In  their  snug  lodges,  gathered 
around  their  blazing  fires,  telling  stories  of  past  ad 
ventures,  preparing  clothing  for  the  summer,  feast 
ing  upon  fat  turkeys, and  the  choicest  cuts  of  buffalo- 
meat  and  venison,  a  few  weeks  passed  very  pleas 
antly  away.  Being  free  from  that  most  terrible  of 
all  earthly  curses,  intoxicating  drinks,  there  was  no 
discord,  and  this  little  community  of  mountaineers, 
in  the  solitudes  of  a  Rocky  mountain  valley,  were 
perhaps  as  happy  as  any  other  equal  community 
amidst  the  highest  conveniences  of  civilization. 

One  winter's  day  a  little  band  of  hunters,  in  their 
pursuit  of  game,  were  lured  to  a  greater  distance 
than  usual  from  the  camp.  Their  attention  was 
arrested  by  certain  signs  which  indicated  that  a  band 
of  Indians  had  passed  by,  and  had  endeavored  care 
fully  to  conceal  their  trail.  A  close  scrutiny  so  con 
firmed  this  opinion  that  they  hastily  returned  to  the 
camp  with  the  declaration  that  savages  were  certainly 
prowling  around  watching  for  an  opportunity  to  at- 


' 


ENCAMPMENTS  AND   BATTLES.  I?! 

tack  them.  They  knew  full  well  that  the  wary  In 
dians  would  never  think  of  approaching  their  camp 
unless  in  overpowering  numbers.  It  was  deemed 
expedient  not  to  allow  the  foe  any  time  to  mature 
their  plans.  A  party  of  forty  men  was  immediately 
fitted  out,  under  the  command  of  Kit  Carson,  to  go 
to  the  hidden  trail  and  follow  it  till  the  haunts  of  the 
Indians  were  discovered.  The  reputation  of  Mr. 
Carson  was  such  that  unanimously  he  was  invested 
with  dictatorial  powers.  Everything  was  left  to  the 
decision  of  his  own  good  judgment. 

With  silent,  moccasined  tread  the  adventurers 
threaded  their  way  over  the  broken  country,  and 
through  a  dense  forest,  when  suddenly  they  came 
upon  a  band  of  Indians,  manifestly  on  the  war-path  ; 
painted,  plumed  and  armed  in  the  highest  style  of 
their  barbaric  art.  The  savages,  on  catching  sight 
of  the  trappers,  turned  and  fled  with  the  utmost 
speed,  without  scattering.  The  trappers  pursued 
with  equal  swiftness  of  foot.  They  had  no  doubt 
that  there  was  a  stronger  band  at  some  little  distance, 
which  the  Indians  were  retreating  to  join. 

The  supposition  proved  correct.  A  large  number 
of  warriors  had  assembled,  in  a  very  good  military 
position,  and  it  was  at  once  evident  that  they  intended 
to  give  battle.  Though  the  majority  of  them  had 
only  arrows  and  lances,  many  were  armed  with  rifles. 


CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

They  were  on  a  hill-side  which  was  quite  steep,  rugged 
with  boulders,  and  with  a  heavy  growth  of  gloomy 
firs  and  pines.  The  field  was  admirably  adapted  for 
the  Indian  mode  of  warfare,  and  the  desperate  war 
riors  of  the  Blackfeet  were  foes  not  to  be  despised. 

Kit  Carson  possessed  the  qualities  essential  to  a 
military  leader.  He  was  cautious  as  he  was  bold. 
He  was  very  careful  never  unnecessarily  to  expose 
the  lives  of  his  men.  Very  deliberately  he  recon 
noitred  the  position,  and  prepared  for  the  battle. 
He  had  no  doubt  that, with  what  would  be  called  a 
gallant  rush, he  might  drive  the  Indians  from  him  and 
gain  a  brilliant  victory.  But  it  would  be  attended 
with  loss.  By  a  slower  process  he  was  sure  of  the 
result,  while  his  men  would  be  protected  from  death 
and  wounds.  All  of  his  men  were  armed  with  the 
best  of  rifles.  They  had  a  good  supply  of  ammuni 
tion.  They  could  afford  to  load  with  heavy  charges 
which  would  throw  the  balls  to  the  greatest  possible 
distance.  It  was  very  difficult  for  the  Indians  to 
obtain  ammunition.  They  therefore  found  it  neces 
sary  to  husband  the  little  they  had  with  great  care. 
Consequently  the  Indian's  rifle,  but  lightly  charged, 
would  seldom  throw  a  bullet  more  than  two-thirds 
the  distance  thrown  by  the  rifle  of  the  trapper. 

Mr.  Carson  gave  every  man  his  position.     They 
were  all  veterans  in  every  exigence  of  Indian   war- 


ENCAMPMENTS  AND   BATTLES.  173 

fare.  Each  man  was  capable  of  independent  action. 
They  all  knew  the  folly  of  throwing  away  a  single 
shot.  There  was  no  random  firing.  Each  man  was 
trained  to  seek  sure  protection  behind  rock,  stump 
or  tree,  and  then  to  keep  a  vigilant  watch,  not  only 
to  guard  himself  but  his  immediate  comrades  from 
the  missiles  of  the  foe.  Slowly  the  line  of  trappers 
was  to  advance  upon  the  enemy,  from  point  to  point 
of  protection,  making  sure  that  every  bullet  should 
kill  or  wound.  The  tactics  of  the  battle  secured  the 
victory.  The  Indians  fought  with  their  accustomed 
bravery.  But  one  after  another  their  warriors  fell 
killed  or  disabled. 

As  the  gloom  of  a  winter's  night  settled  down 
over  this  awful  scene  of  war,  the  savages  retired  in 
good  order,  across  the  ice  of  an  arm  of  the  Yellow 
stone,  to  an  island  in  the  middle  of  the  river.  They 
had  adopted  the  precaution,  unusual  with  them,  of 
erecting  here  quite  a  strong  fortress,  to  which  they 
could  retreat  in  case  of  disaster.  Thus  situated,  both 
parties,  wearied  with  the  Jong  conflict  of  the  day, 
sought  such  repose  as  night  could  give  to  men  sleep 
ing  upon  their  arms. 

The  trappers  knew  not  what  scenes  were  trans 
piring  in  the  Indian  camp  on  the  island.  As  for 
themselves,  they  could  only  venture,  with  the  utmost 
caution,  to  kindle  small  fires  to  cook  their  supper. 


174  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

They  then  carefully  extinguished  the  embers,  lest 
the  flames  should  guide  several  hundred  warriors  in 
a  midnight  attack. 

Mr.  Carson  was  not  aware  of  the  strength  of  the 
Indian  fortifications  on  the  island.  Not  wishing  to 

o 

give  them  any  time  to  strengthen  their  works,  with 
the  earliest  dawn  he  put  his  men  in  motion.  They 
crossed  the  ice  to  the  island,  where  they  found  only 
silence  and  desolation.  Not  an  Indian  was  to  be 
seen.  In  the  night  the  savages  had  retreated,  and 
were  then  probably  at  a  distance  of  leagues,  no  one 
could  tell  where.  There  were,  however,  many  indi 
cations  left  of  the  results  of  the  battle.  The 
interior  of  the  fort  was  quite  crimsoned  with  fresh 
blood.  A  bloody  trail  led  to  a  hole  which  they  had 
cut  through  the  ice  in  the  middle  of  the  river,  and 
into  which  they  had  thrust  the  bodies  of  the  slain. 
It  was  not  their  intention  that  the  trappers  should 
know  how  many  of  their  number  had  been  wounded 
or  slain.  Mr.  Carson  with  his  victorious  associates 
returned  to  the  camp. 

A  council  of  war  was  held.  It  was  generally 
supposed  that  the  powerful  Blackfeet  could  bring  five 
thousand  warriors  into  the  field.  They  were  very 
resolute  men ;  having  been  abundantly  successful 
heretofore,  it  was  not  doubted  they  would  strain 
every  nerve  to  wipe  out  the  disgrace  of  this  defeat. 


ENCAMPMENTS  AND   BATTLES.  175 

The  trappers  were  confident  that  the  savages  would 
soon  appear  again,  with  numbers  which  they  would 
deem  sufficient  to  annihilate  the  white  men.  Guided 
by  the  wisdom  of  Kit  Carson,  the  whole  camp  imme 
diately  resolved  itself  into  a  military  garrison.  In- 
trenchments  were  thrown  up  to  guard  every  ap 
proach.  Everything  was  cleared  away,  around  the 
camp  within  rifle  range,  behind  which  an  Indian  could 
secrete  himself.  The  most  trusty  men  were  appointed 
as  sentinels. 

About  a  mile  from  the  camp  there  was  an  emi 
nence,  several  hundred  feet  high,  whose  summit 
commanded  a  fine  view  of  the  whole  surrounding 
country.  Every  day  some  one  was  sent  to  that  hill 
to  keep  a  constant  lookout. 

The  wisdom  of  Mr.  Carson's  measures  was  soon 
apparent.  One  morning  the  watch  on  the  hill  dis 
cerned,  far  away  in  the  distance,  a  warlike  band  of 
Indians  approaching.  He  had  no  doubt  that  it  was, 
as  it  proved  to  be,  but  the  advanced  guard  of  the  In 
dian  army.  He  waved  his  signal  to  communicate  the 
intelligence  to  the  camp,  and  immediately  hastened 
down  to  join  his  comrades.  Every  man  sprang  to 
arms  and  was  at  his  post.  Kit  Carson  had  antici 
pated  everything  and  had  attended  to  the  most  min 
ute  details. 

With  firm  self-confident  tread  the  savages  came 


CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

on,  a  thousand  in  number,  to  crush  by  the  weight  of 
their  onset,  and  to  trample  beneath  their  feet  sixty 
trappers.  It  was  an  appalling  sight  even  for  brave 
men  to  look  upon.  They  were  all  arrayed  in  their 
fantastic  war  costume,  some  on  horseback  splendidly 
mounted,  some  on  foot,  many  armed  with  rifles,  and 
others  with  bows,  arrows,  and  lances  which  were  very 
formidable  weapons  in  the  hands  of  such  stalwart  and 
sinewy  men. 

They  came  in  separate  bands,  of  two  or  three 
hundred  each,  and  took  position  about  a  mile  from 
the  fort.  As  band  after  band  came  up,  the  prairie 
and  the  adjacent  hills  resounded  with  their  yells  of 
defiance.  In  the  evening  they  held  their  war-dance, 
which  the  trappers  well  understood  to  be  the  sure 
precursor  of  the  battle  on  the  next  day.  Their 
songs  could  be  distinctly  heard  in  the  camp,  and  as 
they  danced, with  hideous  contortions,  in  the  gather 
ing  shades  of  night  around  their  fires,  it  seemed  as 
though  a  band  of  demons  had  broken  loose  from 
Pandemonium. 

With  the  first  dawn  of  the  morning,  a  large  party 
of  these  warriors  approached  the  fort  to  reconnoitre. 
They  were  evidently  astonished  in  beholding  the 
preparations  which  had  been  made  to  receive  them. 
They  could  not,  from  any  direction,  approach  within 
an  eighth  of  a  mile,  without  presenting  their  bodies  a 


ENCAMPMENTS  AND   BATTLES. 

perfect  target  for  the  rifles  of  men  who  never  missed 
their  aim.  These  cautious  warriors  did  not  venture 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  fortress.  But  they  were 
keen-eyed  and  sagacious  men.  They  saw  that  the 
trappers  were  effectually  protected  by  their  breast 
works,  and  that  the  fort  could  by  no  possibility  be 
taken  without  enormous  slaughter  on  their  own  side. 
Indeed  it  was  doubtful  whether,  armed  as  the  white 
men  were,  with  rifles,  revolvers  and  knives,  the  fort 
could  be  taken  at  any  expense. 

In  their  impotent  rage  a  few  random  shots  were 
fired  at- the  fort,  but  the  bullets  did  not  reach  their 
mark.  The  trappers  threw  away  no  lead.  They 
quietly  awaited  the  attack,  and  were  so  confident  of 
their  ability  to  defeat  the  Indians,  that  they  were 
disappointed  when  they  saw  the  reconnoitring  party 
commencing  to  retire.  They  shouted  to  them  in 
terms  of  derision,  hoping  to  exasperate  them  into  an 
attack.  But  the  wary  savages  were  not  thus  to  be 
drawn  to  certain  death.  They  retired  to  their  camp, 
which  as  we  have  said  was  distant  about  a  mile  from 
the  fort,  but  which  was  in  perfect  view. 

Here  they  evidently  held  a  general  council  of 
war.  There  probably  was  some  diversity  of  opinion, 
as  many  speeches  were  made  and  the  council  was 
protracted  for  several  hours.  There  was  manifestly 

no   enthusiasm  on   the   occasion,  and   no   exultant 
8* 


1 78  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

shouts  were  heard.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  council, 
the  whole  band  divided  into  two  parties  and,  in  di 
vergent  directions,  disappeared  from  view.  After 
this  the  trappers  were  not  again  disturbed  by  the  In 
dians.  Indeed  they  feared  no  molestation.  No  In 
dian  band  would  think  of  attacking  a  fortress  which 
a  thousand  warriors  had  declared  impregnable. 

As  soon  as  the  returning  spring  would  permit,  the 
trappers  broke  up  their  encampment  on  the  Yellow 
stone,  and  passing  directly  west  through  the  very 
heart  of  the  Blackfeet  country,  planted  their  traps 
on  the  head  waters  of  the  Missouri  river.  For  three 
months  they  traversed  many  of  the  tributaries  of 
this  most  majestic  of  streams.  They  were  mod 
erately  successful,  and  in  the  early  summer  turned 
their  steps  south,  crossing  the  mountains  to  dispose 
of  their  furs  at  the  Rendezvous,  which  was  again  held 
on  Green  river.  Here  they  remained  in  such  social 
enjoyment  as  the  great  festival  could  afford  them, 
until  the  month  of  August,  when  the  Rendezvous 
was  dissolved, 


CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Trapper  s  Elysium. 

Trapping  on  the  Missouri. — Attacked  by  the  Blackfeet. — The  Bat 
tle. — Persevering  Hostility  of  the  Indians. — The  Trappers  driven 
from  the  Country. — Repair  to  the  North  Fork. — Cheerful  En 
campments. — Enchanting  Scene. — Village  of  the  Flatheads. — 
The  Blessings  of  Peace. — Carson's  Knowledge  of  Languages. — 
Pleasant  Winter  Quarters  on  the  Big  Snake  River. — Successful 
Trapping. — Winter  at  Brown's  Hole. — Trip  to  Fort  Bent. — 
Peculiar  Characters. — Williams  and  Mitchel. — Hunter  at  Fort 
Bent. — Marriage. — Visit  to  the  States. 

UPON  the  breaking  up  of  the  rendezvous  at 
Green  river,  Kit  Carson,  with  five  companions, 
directed  his  steps  in  a  northwest  course,  about  two 
hundred  miles  to  Fort  Hall,  on  Snake  river.  He 
spent  the  autumnal  months  trapping  along  the 
various  streams  in  this  region.  They  were  very 
successful  on  this  tour,  and  at  the  close  of  the  season 
returned  to  the  fort  with  a  rich  supply  of  furs. 
These  forts  were  generally  trading-houses,  well  forti 
fied  and  garrisoned,  but  not  governmental  military 
posts. 

Here  Carson  disposed  of  his  furs  to  good  advan 
tage,  and  after  remaining  there  about  a  month  he 


180  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

crossed  the  mountains  with  a  large  party  of  trappers 
to  the  head  waters  of  the  Missouri,  thus  again 
entering  the  country  of  the  Blackfeet.  They  struck 
the  Missouri  river  itself  far  up  among  the  mountains. 
They  commenced  setting  their  traps  on  this  stream. 
Slowly  they  followed  up  the  banks,  gathering  in  the 
morning  what  they  had  taken  through  tire  night. 

One  morning  a  party  of  half  a  dozen  trappers, 
who  had  gone  about  two  miles  from  the  camp  to 
examine  their  traps,  encountered  a  band  of  Blackfeet 
Indians,  who  fired  upon  them.  The  trappers  imme 
diately  retreated  with  the  greatest  rapidity.  Though 
closely  pursued  by  their  swift-footed  foes  they 
reached  the  camp  in  safety.  It  so  happened  that 
near  their  camp  there  was  quite  an  extensive 
thicket  of  tall  trees  and  dense  underbrush.  Kit 
Carson,  not  knowing  how  numerous  the  Indians 
might  be  who  were  coming  upon  him,  directed  the 
men  as  quickly  as  possible  to  conceal  themselves  and 
animals  in  the  thicket. 

Scarcely  had  the  order  been  executed  when  the 
Indians  with  hideous  yells  came  rushing  towards 
the  camp.  But  not  a  trapper  or  a  horse  was  visible. 
Nothing  was  found  there  but  silence  and  solitude. 
Still  they  came  rushing  on,  shouting  and  brandishing 
their  weapons,  when  suddenly  and  to  their  great  con 
sternation,  the  reports  of  the  rifles  were  heard  and 


THE  TRAPPER'S  ELYSIUM. 


181 


fourteen  bullets  struck  fourteen  warriors.  Several 
were  killed  outright,  others  were  seriously  wounded. 
Before  the  savages  had  recovered  from  their  conster 
nation  the  rifles  were  reloaded  and  every  man  was 
ready  for  another  discharge. 

The  brave  Blackfeet  wavered  for  a  moment,  and 
then  with  unearthly  yells,  made  a  simultaneous 
charge  upon  the  thicket.  Carson  was  in  the  midst 
of  his  little  band.  His  calm,  soft  voice  was  heard 
reassuring  his  men,  as  he  said : 

"  Keep  cool  and  fire  as  deliberately  as  if  you  were 
shooting  at  game." 

There  was  another  almost  simultaneous  discharge 
and  every  bullet  struck  a  warrior.  The  Indians, 
thus  mercilessly  handled,  recoiled,  and  every  one 
sought  refuge  behind  some  trunk,  rock  or  tree. 
They  could  see  no  foe,  while  the  trappers  could  find 
peep-holes  through  which  they  could  watch  all  the 
movements  of  the  Indians.  A  shower  of  arrows  was 
thrown  into  the  thicket,  but  none  of  the  trappers 
were  struck.  The  intermittent  battle  continued  the 
whole  day.  Several  times  the  savages  attempted  to 
renew  the  charge,  but  as  often  the  same  deadly  vol 
ley  was  poured  in  upon  them  with  never-failing  aim. 

At  length  they  attempted  to  set  the  thicket  on 
fire,  hoping  thus  to  burn  out  their  foes.  There  was 
another  and  still  larger  body  of  trappers  about  six 


82  CHRISTOFER  CARSON. 

ailes  below  the  point  were  this  battle  was  raging, 
hit  the  direction  of  th»  wind  was  such,  together 
/ith  the  dense  forest  and  he  broken  ground,  that  the 
eport  of  the  fire-arms  wa  not  heard. 

It  is  probable  that  thdndians  had  knowledge  of 
his  band,  and  feared  tat  the  larger  party  might 
ome  to  the  aid  of  the*  friends.  Whatever  may 
ave  been  the  reason  vdch  influenced  them,  they 
uddenly  abandoned  thecontest  and  departed.  As 
oon  as  Mr.  Carson  hadsatisfied  himself  that  they 
fere  effectually  out  of  te  way,  he  emerged  from  his 
etreat  and  joined  his  fends  down  the  river.  His 
oolness  and  prudence  ad  saved  the  party.  They 
3st  not  a  man  nor  an  aimal. 

But  the  Indians  stilhovered  around  in  such  ener- 
;etic  and  persevering  ostility,  that  not  a  trapper 
ould  leave  the  camp  w:hout  danger  of  falling  into 
n  ambuscade.  The  Idians  avoided  any  decisive 
onflict,  but  their  war-vioops  and  yells  of  defiance, 
ke  the  howlings  of  wcves,  could  be  heard,  by  day 
nd  by  night,  in  the  fcests  all  around  them.  Un- 
*ss  the  traps  were  canully  guarded,  they  were  sure 
D  be  stolen.  Under  tese  circumstances  there  was 
o  possibility  of  trappig  with  any  hope  of  success. 
)nce  before  the  indorrtable  Indians  had  driven  the 
rappers  from  their  contry.  And  now  again  it  was 
leemed  necessary  to  -;thdraw  from  their  haunts. 


THE  TRAPPER    ELYSIUM.  1 

To  the  trappers  this  waa  very  humiliating  nee 
sity.  A  council  was  1  1  it  was  decided 

abandon  the  region  and  to  ircct  their  steps  ab< 
two  hundred  miles,  in  a  nrtheasterly  direction, 
the  north  fork  of  the  Missari  river.  The  jourr 
was  soon  accomplished  whout  adventure.  1 
trappers,  far  removed  fror  their  inveterate  fo 
vigorously  commenced  openions.  They  had  th 
central  camp.  In  small  parts  they  followed  up  a 
down  the  majestic  stream,  ari  pursued  the  windir 
of  the  brook<  flowing  int<»  .  They  generally  w< 
in  parties  of  two  or  three. 

Wherever  night  found  thci,  whether  withcloi 
less  skies  or  raging  storm,  it  lattered  not,  the  w< 
of  an  hour  with  their  hatchts,  reared  for  then 
sheltering  camp.  Before  it  b^.ed  the  ever-cheer 
illuminating  fire.  Rich  f  the  choicest  ga 

smoked  upon  the  embers,  am'*. he  hunters,  reclin 
upon  their  couches  of  blankts  or  furs,  exulted 
the  luxurious   indulgence  of    hunter's  life.     W 
all  the  hardships  to   which  oe  is  exposed  in  si 
adventures,  there  is  a  charn  accompanying   th 
which  words  cannot  easily  ck  ribe.     It  warms 
blood  of  one  sitting  upon  the  arpeted  floor  in 
well-furnished  parlor  to  send  h  imagination  bacl> 
•  r  those  scenes. 

Men  of  little  book  culture,   nd  with  but   slii 

• 


1 84  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

acquaintance  with  the  elegancies  of  polished  life, 
have  often  a  high  appreciation  of  the  beauties  and 
the  sublimities  of  nature.  Think  of  such  a  man  as 
Kit  Carson,  with  his  native  delicacy  of  mind ;  a  deli 
cacy  which  never  allowed  him  to  use  a  profane  word, 
to  indulge  in  intoxicating  drinks,  to  be  guilty  of  an 
impure  action ;  a  man  who  enjoyed,  above  all 
things  else,  the  communings  of  his  own  spirit  with 
the  silence,  the  solitude,  the  grandeur,  with  which 
God  has  invested  the  illimitable  wilderness ;  think  of 
such  a  man  in  the  midst  of  such  scenes  as  we  are 
now  describing. 

It  is  the  hour  of  midnight.  His  camp  is  in  one  of 
the  wildest  ravines  of  the  Rocky  mountains.  A  dense 
and  gloomy  forest  covers  the  hillsides.  A  moun 
tain  torrent,  with  its  voice  of  many  waters,  flows  on 
its  way  but  a  few  yards  beyond  the  open  front  of 
his  camp.  A  brilliant  fire  illumines  the  wild  scene 
for  a  few  rods  around,  while  all  beyond  is  impene 
trable  darkness.  His  hardy  mule,  accustomed  to  all 
weathers,  is  browsing  near  by.  The  floor  of  his 
camp,  spread  with  buffalo  robes,  looks  warm  and 
inviting.  His  two  comrades  are  soundly  asleep  with 
their  rifles  on  their  arms,  ready  at  the  slightest  alarm 
to  spring  to  their  feet  prepared  for  battle. 

There  is  a  raging  storm  wailing  through  the  tree- 
tops.  The  howling  of  the  wolves  is  heard  as,  in 


THE  TRAPPER'S  ELYSIUM.  185 

fierce  and  hungry  packs,  they  roam  through  these 
uninhabited  wilds.  Carson,  reclining  upon  his  couch, 
in  perfect  health  and  unfatigued,  caresses  the  faith 
ful  dog,  which  clings  to  his  side,  as  he  looks  out  upon 
the  scene  and  listens  to  the  storm.  What  is  there 
which  the  chambers  of  the  Metropolitan  hotel  can 
afford, which  the  hardy  mountaineer  would  accept  in 
exchange  ? 

Slowly  our  party  of  trappers  ascended  the  river, 
gathering  many  furs  on  their  way.  It  was  an  unex 
plored  region,  and  they  could  never  tell  what  scene 
the  next  mile  would  open  before  them.  One  morn 
ing  as  they  were  turning  the  majestic  bend  of  a  ravine, 
they  came  upon  a  beautiful  little  meadow,  where  the 
mountains  retired  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
the  stream,  and  where  the  waters  of  the  river  flowed 
gently  in  a  smooth,  untroubled  current.  They  were 
ascending  the  river  which  flowed  down  from  the  south. 
A  beautiful  vista  was  opened  before  them  of  green 
valleys  and  gentle  treeless  eminences,  while  far  away 
in  the  distance  rose  towering  mountains. 

Upon  this  lovely  meadow  there  was  a  large  vil 
lage  of  Flathead  Indians.  Their  conical  lodges, 
constructed  of  skins,  were  scattered  thickly  around, 
while  the  smoke  of  their  fires  curled  gently  through 
an  opening  in  the  top  of  each  lodge.  Children  were 
playing  upon  the  greensward,  shooting  their  arrows, 


1 86  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

throwing  their  javelins,  and  engaged  in  sundry  other 
barbaric  sports.  A  party  of  the  Indians  had  just 
returned  from  a  hunting  expedition  laden  with  game. 
Warriors  and  women  were  scattered  around  in  small 
groups,  discussing  the  events  of  the  day  and  pre 
paring  for  a  great  feast.  Young  Indian  girls,  of 
graceful  form,  looked  very  attractive  in  their  pic 
turesque  attire  of  fringed  buskined  leggins  and  glitter 
ing  beads. 

Kit  Carson  at  once  recognized  these  Indians  as 
his  friends,  the  Flatheads.  They  knew  him  and 
gave  him  and  his  comrades  a  cordial  greeting.  O, 
the  blessings  of  peace  !  How  many  are  the  woes  of 
this  world  which  are  caused  by  man's  inhumanity  to 
man.  The  trappers  were  led  by  their  Indian  friends, 
with  smiling  faces  and  kind  words,  into  their  lodges, 
and  shared  with  them  in  a  thanksgiving  feast. 

Mr.  Carson  was  endowed  with  unusual  facility  in 
the  acquisition  of  languages.  He  could  converse 
fluently  in  Spanish  and  French,  and  it  was  stated 
that  he  also  understood  some  ten  Indian  dialects. 
With  the  Flatheads  he  was  quite  at  home.  After  a 
few  days,  spent  in  this  hospitable  village,  it  was 
deemed  expedient  to  seek  winter  quarters.  Several 
of  the  chiefs  accompanied  them.  They  accordingly 
left  the  head  waters  of  the  Missouri,  and  crossed  the 
Rocky  mountains  in  a  southerly  direction,  about  two 


THE  TRAPPER'S  ELYSIUM.  187 

hundred  miles,  till  they  reached  the  Big  Snake  river. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  this  stream,  flowing  from 
the  western  declivities  of  the  mountains,  is  the  most 
important  tributary  of  the  Columbia  river.  Here  the 
winter  passed  very  pleasantly  away  without  any  in 
cident  which  calls  for  record.  Rather  an  unusual 
quantity  of  snow  fell.  But  the  trappers  were  warmly 
housed,  with  ample  clothing  and  abundant  fuel. 

Every  pleasant  day  hunters  left  the  camp,  and 
usually  returned  well  laden  with  game.  Thus  the 
larder  of  the  trappers  was  well  provided  for.  An 
anonymous  writer  speaking  of  these  winter  encamp 
ments,  says  : 

"  The  winter  seasons  in  the  Rocky  mountains  are 
usually  fearful  and  severe.  There  snow-storms  form 
mountains  for  themselves,  filling  up  the  passes  for 
weeks  and  rendering  them  impracticable  either  for 
man  or  beast. 

The  scenery  is  indescribably  grand,  provided  the 
beholder  is  well  housed.  If  the  case  be  otherwise, 
and  he  is  doomed  to  encounter  these  terrible  storms, 
his  situation  is  dreadful  in  the  extreme.  Even  du 
ring  the  summer  months  the  lofty  peaks  of  this 
mighty  chain  of  mountains  are  covered  with  white 
caps  of  snow.  It  affords  a  contrast  to  the  elements, 
of  the  grandest  conception,  to  stand  in  the  shade  of 
some  verdant  valley  wiping  the  perspiration  from  the 


1 88  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

brow,  and  at  the  same  time  to  look  upon  a  darkly 
threatening  storm-cloud  powdering  the  heads  of  the 
hoary  monster  mountains  from  its  freight  of  flaky 
snow. 

"  So  far  these  American  giant  mountains  are  un 
surpassed  by  their  Alpine  brothers  of  Europe.  Not 
so  in  the  glaciers.  Throughout  the  great  range 
there  are  no  glaciers  to  be  found  which  can  compare 
with  those  among  the  Alps.'' 

In  the  spring  the  trappers  scattered  in  small 
bands  throughout  that  region.  They  were  in  the 
territory  of  the  Utah  Indians,  just  north  of  the  Great 
Salt  Lake.  Kit  Carson  was  well  acquainted  with 
them  and  they  were  all  his  friends.  The  trappers, 
therefore,  wandered  at  pleasure  without  fear  of  mo 
lestation.  Mr.  Carson  took  but  one  trapper  with 
him,  with  two  or  three  pack  mules.  They  were  very 
successful,  and  in  a  few  weeks  obtained  as  many  furs 
as  their  animals  could  carry. 

With  these  they  went  to  a  trading  post,  not  very 
far  distant  from  them  called  Fort  Robidoux.  Here 
their  furs  were  disposed  of  to  good  advantage.  Mr. 
Carson,  having  judiciously  invested  his  gains,  organ 
ized  another  party  of  five  trappers,  and  traversed  an 
unpeopled  wilderness  for  a  distance  of  about  two 
hundred  miles  until  he  reached  the  wild  ravines  and 
pathless  solitudes  of  Grand  river.  This  stream, 


THE  TRAPPERS  ELYSIUM.  189 

whose  junction  with  the  Green  river  forms  the  Col 
orado,  takes  its  rise  on  the  western  declivity  of  the 
Rocky  mountains,  amidst  its  most  wild  and  savage 
glens.  Trapping  down  this  river  \\ith  satisfactory 
success,  late  in  the  autumn  he  reached  Green  river. 
Falling  snows  and  piercing  winds  admonished  him 
that  the  time  had  come  again  to  retire  to  winter 
quarters. 

He  repaired  to  Brown's  Hole,  the  well  known  and 
beautiful  valley  which  he  had  often  visited  before. 
Here  he  passed  an  uneventful  but  pleasant  winter. 
With  the  earliest  spring  he  again  directed  his  foot 
steps  to  the  country  of  the  Utahs  in  the  remote 
north.  He  was  successful  in  trapping,  and  as  the 
heat  of  summer  came,  he  again  turned  his  steps, 
with  well  laden  mules,  to  Fort  Robidoux.  Here  he 
found,  to  his  disappointment,  that  beaver  fur  had 
greatly  deteriorated  in  value.  His  skins  would 
scarcely  bring  him  enough  to  pay  for  the  trouble  of 
taking  them.  This  was  caused  mainly  by  the  use 
of  silk  instead  of  fur,  throughout  Europe  and  Amer 
ica,  in  the  manufacture  of  hats. 

Kit  Carson  saw  at  a  glance,  that  his  favorite 
occupation  was  gone  ;  that  he  and  the  other  trappers 
would  be  compelled  to  seek  some  other  employment. 
In  company  with  five  men  of  a  decidedly  higher 
order  than  the  common  run  of  trappers,  he  struck 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

for  the  head  waters  of  Arkansas  river.  Following 
this  stream  down  along  the  immense  defile  which 
nature  seems  to  have  opened  for  it  through  the 
Rocky  mountains,  they  approached  Fort  Bent,  which 
is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  east  of  that 
gigantic  barrier. 

Mr.  Carson's  companions  on  this  trip,  were  some 
of  them  at  least,  very  peculiar  characters, — very 
interesting  specimens  of  the  kind  of  men  who  are 
drawn  from  the  haunts  of  civilization  to  the  wilder 
ness.  One  was  a  man,  probably  partially  insane,  who 
was  known  through  all  the  Rocky  mountain  region 
as  "  old  Bill  Williams."  He  had  been  a  Methodist 
preacher  in  Missouri.  For  some  unknown  reason 
he  left  the  States  and  joined  the  Indians,  adopting 
their  dress  and  manners.  He  was  very  familiar  with 
the  Bible  and  had  marvellous  skill  in  the  acquisition 
of  languages.  He  would  spend  but  a  short  time 
with  any  tribe  before  he  became  quite  familiar  with 
their  speech.  Though  his  conduct  was  often  in 
strange  contrast  with  the  teachings  of  that  sacred 
book,  he  took  much  pleasure  in  telling  the  Indians 
Bible  stories.  He  was  subsequently  killed  in  some 
feud  with  the  savages. 

Another  of  his  companions,  whose  real  or  assumed 
name  was  Mitchel,  had  abandoned  his  friends  and 
joined  the  Comanche  Indians.  It  is  a  much  easier 


THE  TRAPPER'S  ELYSIUM.  191 

step  from  the  civilized  man  to  the  savage  than  from 
the  savage  to  the  civilized.  Mitchel,  with  his  Indian 
costume,  his  plumed  head-gear,  his  Indian  weapons, 
and  his  fluent  Indian  speech,  could  not  be  distin 
guished  from  the  savages  around  him.  The  Coman- 
ches  adopted  him  into  their  tribe  and  accepted  him 
as  one  of  the  most  prominent  of  their  braves. 
Mitchel  said  that  his  object  was  to  discover  a  gold 
mine  through  their  guidance,  which  they  reported 
was  to  be  found  amid  the  mountains  of  Northern 
Texas.  Disappointed  in  this  endeavor,  he  joined  the 
trappers  and  was  cordially  welcomed  by  them  as  an 
experienced  mountaineer,  a  man  full  of  humor  and 
one  who  could  tell  a  capital  story. 

When  Kit  Carson  and  his  companions  had  arrived 
within  a  few  days'  journey  of  the  fort.  Mitchel  and  a 
man  by  the  name  of  New,  contrary  to  the  advice  of 
Carson,  decided  to  remain  behind,  to  enjoy  them 
selves  in  a  beautiful  country  where  they  found  abun 
dance  of  game.  A  week  after  the  safe  arrival  of 
Mr.  Carson  and  his  party,  these  two  men  made  their 
appearance  in  a  truly  pitiable  plight.  They  had 
encountered  a  party  of  Indian  hunters  who,  while 
sparing  their  lives,  had  robbed  them  of  their  arms, 
their  ammunition  and  even  of  every  particle  of  their 
clothing.  Of  course  they  were  kindly  received  at 
the  fort  and  all  their  wants  supplied. 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

Fort  Bent  was  a  trading  post ;  belonged  to  a  com 
pany  of  merchants  of  whom  Messrs.  Bent  and  Vrain, 
residing  at  the  fort,  were  partners.  Immediately 
upon  Mr.  Carson's  arrival  there,  he  was  so  well  known 
and  his  capabilities  so  well  understood,  that  he 
received  an  earnest  application  to  take  the  position 
of  hunter  for  the  fort.  He  accepted  the  office  and 
filled  it  for  eight  years  with  such  skill  and  fidelity 
that  never  did  one  word  of  disagreement  pass  be 
tween  him  and  his  employers.  His  duties  were  to 
supply  a  camp  of  about  forty  men  with  all  the  animal 
food  they  needed. 

When  game  was  plenty,  this  was  an  easy  task, 
but  often  wandering  bands  of  Indian  hunters  would 
sweep  that  whole  region  around  rendering  the  labors 
of  Mr.  Carson  extremely  difficult.  For  unfrequently 
he  would  wander  from  sunrise  to  sunset  over  prairie 
and  mountain,  in  pursuit  of  game ;  but  rarely  did  he 
return  without  a  mule  load.  At  times  he  extended 
his  hunting  trips  to  a  distance  of  fifty  miles  from  the 
fort.  During  these  eight  years  thousands  of  buffalo, 
elk,  antelope  and  deer,  fell  before  his  rifle,  besides  a 
vast  amount  of  smaller  game. 

The  skill  which  he  displayed,  and  the  success 
which  that  skill  secured,  excited  the  admiration  alike 
of  the  red  men  and  the  white  men.  He  was  univer 
sally  known  by  the  Indians,  and  was  respected  and 


THE  TRAPPER'S  ELYSIUM.  193 

beloved  by  them.  Fearless  and  alone  he  wandered 
over  mountain  and  prairie,  frequently  meeting 
bands  of  hunters,  and  warriors,  and  entering  the 
lodges  of  the  savages,  and  sleeping  in  them  without 
encountering  any  harm.  They  admired  his  boldness, 
and  an  instinctive  sense  of  honor  led  them  not  to 
maltreat  one  who  had  ever  proved  their  friend,  and 
who  trusted  himself  so  unreservedly  in  their 
power. 

His  familiarity  with  the  Indian  language  enabled 
him  to  converse  familiarly  with  them.  He  was  as 
much  at  home  in  the  wilderness  as  the  most  veteran 
hunters  of  their  tribes.  In  the  huts  of  the  Arapahoes, 
Cheyennes,  Kiowas  and  Comanches  he  was  always 
a  welcome  guest.  They  appreciated  the  vast  superi 
ority  of  his  intellect.  Often  groups  of  men,  women 
and  children  would  linger  around  the  central  fire  of 
the  lodge  till  after  midnight,  listening  to  his  enter 
taining  stories  of  adventure  and  peril. 

One  incident  which  occurred  at  this  time,  speaks 
volumes  in  reference  to  Mr.  Carson's  character  as  a 
lover  of  peace,  and  is  deserving  of  perpetual  remem 
brance. 

The  Sioux  tribe  of  Indians  who  could  bring  a 
thousand  warriors  into  the  field  had  invaded  the  hunt 
ing-grounds  of  the  Comanches.  Several  skirmishes 
had  already  taken  place,  in  which  the  Comanches 
9 


194  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

had  been  worsted.  The  chiefs  sent  a  deputation  to 
Kit  Carson,  whom  they  regarded  as  a  host  in  him 
self,  to  come  to  their  aid,  and  to  take  the  leadership 
of  one  of  their  bands.  Carson  promptly  responded 
to  their  call.  He  met  the  Comanche  chiefs  in  coun 
cil,  and  so  represented  to  them  the  blessings  of  peace 
and  the  horrors  of  war,  that  they  consented  to  send  a 
deputation,  to  effect  if  possible,  an  amicable  settle 
ment  of  the  difficulty. 

We  infer  from  the  brief  narrative  that  is  given 
that  Kit  Carson  was  the  bearer  of  this  Indian  flag  of 
truce.  He  was  the  friend  of  both  parties.  He  was 
alike  regarded  by  both  as  eminent  for  his  wisdom 
and  his  sense  of  justice.  He  met  the  Sioux  chiefs  in 
council.  After  long  deliberation,  they  consented  to 
retire  from  the  Comanches'  hunting-ground  at  the 
close  of  the  then  season,  and  never  to  molest  them 
more. 

Carson  returned  to  the  Comanches  with  this  an 
nouncement,  and  persuaded  them  to  accede  to  the 
terms.  Thus  a  dreadful  Indian  war  was  averted. 

Among  some  of  these  tribes  Kit  Carson  found  a 
beautiful  and  unusually  intelligent  Indian  girl,  whom 
he  married,  and  took  to  his  home  in  the  fort. 

It  is  the  undisputed  testimony  of  all  who  knew 
him,  that  he  was  a  man  of  unspotted  purity  of  char 
acter  in  his  domestic  relations.  By  this  wife,  Mr. 


THE  TRAPPER'S  ELYSIUM.  195 

Carson  had  one  child  ;  a  daughter.  Not  long  after 
the  birth  of  this  child,  the  mother  died.  The  father 
watched  over  the  motherless  infant  with  the  utmost 
tenderness.  As  she  emerged  from  infancy  to  child 
hood  he  removed  her  to  St.  Louis.  Here  he  found 
the  funds  he  had  so  carefully  invested  very  valuable 
to  him.  He  was  able  liberally  to  provide  for  all  her 
wants,  to  give  her  as  good  an  education  as  St.  Louis 
could  afford,  and  to  introduce  her  to  the  refining  in 
fluences  of  polished  society.  She  was  subsequently 
married  and  removed  with  her  husband  to  Cali 
fornia. 

Sixteen  years  had  now  elapsed  since  Kit  Carson 
left  the  log  cabin  of  his  father,  in  the  then  wilds  of 
Missouri,  for  the  still  wilder  regions  of  mountaineer 
life.  Referring  to  this  period,  he  says : 

"  During  sixteen  years  my  rifle  furnished  almost 
every  particle  of  food  upon  which  I  lived.  For  many 
consecutive  years,  I  never  slept  under  the  roof  of  a 
house,  or  gazed  upon  the  face  of  a  white  woman." 

He  now,  very  naturally,  began  to  long  to  visit  the 
home  of  his  childhood,  and  to  witness  some  of  the 
scenes  of  progressive  civilization,  rumors  of  which 
often  reached  him  in  the  forest.  Messrs.  Bent  and 
Vrain  were  in  the  habit  of  sending  once  a  year  a 
train  of  wagons  to  St.  Louis,  to  transport  their  skins 
and  to  obtain  fresh  supplies.  It  was  a  journey  of 


196  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

about  six  hundred  miles.  There  was  a  wagon  trail, 
if  we  may  so  call  it,  leading  circuitously  over  the 
vast  and  almost  treeless  intervening  plains.  The 
route  led  along  the  river  valleys,  following  the  wind 
ings  of  streams,  and  conducting  to  fords  near  their 
head  waters.  Sometimes  they  came  to  swampy 
regions,  sometimes  to  deep  gulleys,  sometimes  to 
desert  plains.  But  throughout  all  this  wide  expanse 
there  were  no  mountain  ranges  to  obstruct  their  path. 
It  was  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1842,  that  Mr. 
Carson,  as  a  gentleman  passenger,  joined  one  of  these 
caravans.  The  little  daughter,  of  whom  we  have 
spoken,  was  then  six  or  seven  years  of  age.  It  was 
one  object  of  his  journey  to  place  her  at  school,  at 
St.  Louis,  where  she  could  enjoy  the  advantages  of 
a  refined  and  Christian  education.  We  have  no 
record  of  the  incidents  of  this  journey,  which  was 
probably  uneventful.  The  old  Indian  trail  had 
become  quite  a  passable  road  for  wagons. 


CHAPTER    X. 

Fremont's  Expedition. 

Carson's  Visit  to  his  Childhood's  Home. — On  the  Steamer. — Intro 
duction  to  Fremont. — Object  of  Fremont's  Expedition. — Joins 
the  Expedition. — Organization  of  the  Party. — The  Encamp 
ment. — Enchanting  View. — Fording  the  Kansas. — The  Stormy 
Night. — The  Boys  on  Guard. — The  Alarm. — The  Returning 
Trappers. — The  Homeless  Adventurer. — Three  Indians  Join  the 
Party. — First  Sight  of  the  Buffaloes. — The  Chase. 

WHEN  the  caravan,  with  which  Kit  Carson 
travelled  as  a  passenger  from  Fort  Bent,  arrived  with 
in  the  boundaries  of  Missouri,  he  left  his  compan 
ions  and,  with  his  little  daughter,  turned  aside  to 
visit  the  home  of  his  childhood.  He  had,  as  we  have 
mentioned,  been  absent  from  that  home  for  sixteen 
years.  Time,  death,  and  the  progress  of  civilization 
had  wrought,  in  that  region,  what  seemed  to  him 
fearful  ravages.  One  of  his  biographers  writes  : 

"  The  scenes  of  his  boyhood  days  he  found  to  be 
magically  changed.  New  faces  met  him  on  all  sides. 
The  old  log  cabin  where  his  father  and  mother  had 
resided,  was  deserted  and  its  dilapidated  walls  were 
crumbling  with  decay.  The  once  happy  inmates 


198  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

were  scattered  over  the  face  of  the  earth,  while  many 
of  their  voices  were  hushed  in  death.  Kit  Carson 
felt  himself  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land.  The  strong 
man  wept.  His  soul  could  not  brook  either  the 
change  or  the  ways  of  the  people.  While  he  failed 
not  to  receive  kindness  and  hospitality  from  the 
noble  hearted  Missourians,  nevertheless  he  had  fully 
allayed  his  curiosity  and,  as  soon  as  possible,  he  bade 
adieu  to  these  unpleasant  recollections. 

"He  bent  his  steps  towards  St.  Louis.  In  this 
city  he  remained  ten  days.  As  it  was  the  first  time, 
since  he  had  reached  manhood,  that  he  had  viewed 
a  town  of  any  magnitude,  he  was  greatly  interested. 
But  ten  days  of  sight-seeing  wearied  him.  He 
resolved  to  return  to  his  mountain  home,  where  he 
could  breathe  the  pure  air  of  Heaven  and  where 
manners  and  customs  conformed  to  his  wild  life  and 
were  more  congenial  to  his  tastes.  He  engaged  a 
passage  on  the  first  steamboat  which  was  bound  up 
the  Missouri  river.'' 

Kit  Carson  was  instinctively  a  student.  In  what 
ever  situation  he  was  placed  he  was  ever  endeavoring 
to  learn  something  new.  He  was  also  always  drawn, 
by  constitutional  taste  and  preference  towards  men  of 
culture,  and  high  moral  worth.  On  board  the  steam 
er,  he  found  himself  almost  a  perfect  stranger. 
Though  a  small  man  in  frame,  modest  and  unobtru- 


FREMONT'S  EXPEDITION.  199 

sive,  there  was  something  in  his  kindly  handsome  face 
and  winning  manners,  which  invariably  attracted 
attention.  As  he  quietly  wandered  over  the  boat, 
studying  its  machinery,  the  discipline  of  the  crew 
and  the  faces  of  his  fellow  passengers,  he  found  him 
self  irresistibly  drawn  towards  one  whose  counte 
nance  and  dignified  bearing  indicated  that  he  was  de 
cidedly  above  most  of  those  on  board. 

It  is  said  that  "  the  eagle  eye,  the  forehead,  the 
form,  the  movements,  the  general  features,  the  smile, 
the  quiet  dignity  of  the  man,  each  and  all  these  at 
tributes  of  his  manhood  had  been  carefully  noted  by 
the  wary  and  hardy  mountaineer,  and  had  not  failed 
to  awaken  in  his  breast  a  feeling  of  admiration  and 
respect." 

Kit  Carson  entered  into  conversation  with  this 
man.  Immediately  an  attachment  sprang  up  be 
tween  them,  which  grew  increasingly  strong  through 
many  subsequent  years.  The  new  friend  whom  Car 
son  had  thus  found  was  Lieutenant  John  C.  Fre 
mont,  of  the  United  States  corps  of  Topographical 
Engineers.  He  had  been  commissioned  by  the 
Government  to  explore  and  report  upon  the  coun 
try  between  the  frontiers  of  Missouri  and  the  South 
Pass  in  the  Rocky  mountains,  on  the  line  of  the 
Kansas  and  Great  Platte  rivers. 

Lieutenant  Fremont  had  left  Washington,  and  ar- 


200  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

rived  at  St.  Louis  on  the  twenty-second  of  Ma> 
1842.  Here  he  engaged  a  party  of  twenty-one  men, 
principally  Creole  and  Canadian  boatmen,  who  were 
familiar  with  Indian  life,  having  been  long  engaged 
in  the  service  of  the  various  fur  companies.  In  ad 
dition  to  these  boatmen,  Lieutenant  Fremont  had 
under  his  charge,  Henry  Brandt,  nineteen  years  of 
age,  son  of  Colonel  J.  B.  Brant,  of  St.  Louis,  and  Ran 
dolph  Benton,  a  lively  boy  of  twelve  years,  son  of  the 
distinguished  U.  S.  Senator  from  Missouri.  These 
young  men  accompanied  the  expedition  for  that  de 
velopment  of  mind  and  body  which  their  parents 
hoped. the  tour  would  give  them. 

With  this  party,  Lieutenant  Fremont  was  ascend 
ing  the  river  four  hundred  miles,  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Kansas,  from  which  point  he  was  to  take  his  depart 
ure  through  the  unexplored  wilderness.  We  say 
unexplored,  though  many  portions  of  it  had  been 
visited  by  wandering  bands  of  unlettered  trappers 
and  hunters.  Lieutenant  Fremont  had  been  disap 
pointed  in  obtaining  the  guide  he  had  expected. 
Upon  learning  this  fact,  Mr.  Carson  retired  to  a 
secluded  part  of  the  boat,  sat  down,  and  for  some 
time  seemed  lost  in  reverie.  Then  rising  and  ap 
proaching  Lieutenant  Fremont  he  modestly  said  to 
him 

"  Sir,  I    have  been  for  some  time  in  the  moun- 


FREMONT'S  EXPEDITION.  201 

tains,  and  think  I  can  guide  you  to  any  point  there 
you  may  wish  to  reach." 

The  office  of  a  guide,  through  thousands  of  miles 
of  untroden  wilderness,  was  a  very  responsible  posi 
tion.  Mr.  Carson  was  an  entire  stranger  to  Lieuten 
ant  Fremont.  But  there  was  something  in  his  bear 
ing  which  inspired  confidence.  After  making  a  few 
inquiries  of  others,  Mr.  Carson  was  engaged  to  act 
as  guide  with  a  salary  of  one  hundred  dollars  a 
month. 

The  expedition  commenced  its  march  from  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Kansas  on  the  loth  of  June  1842. 
It  followed  along  the  banks  of  that  stream,  in  a  west 
erly  direction.  The  whole  party  consisted  of  twenty- 
eight  souls.  They  were  well  armed  and  were  well 
mounted  with  the  exception  of  eight  men,  who  drove 
as  many  carts.  These  carts  were  each  drawn  by  two 
mules  and  were  packed  with  the  stores  of  the  party, 
their  baggage  and  their  instruments.  There  were  a 
number  of  loose  horses  in  the  train  to  supply  the 
place  of  any,  which  might  be  disabled  by  the  way. 
There  were  also  four  oxen,  which  were  added  as  a 
contribution  to  their  stock  of  provisions,  one  may 
well  imagine  that  so  numerous  a  cavalcade,  winding 
its  way  over  the  undulating  and  treeless  prairie, 
would  present  a  very  imposing  aspect. 

An    Indian  guide  conducted  them  for  the  first 
9* 


202  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

forty  miles,  along  the  river  banks,  with  which  Mr. 
Carson  was  not  familiar.  He  then  left  them  and 
they  entered  upon  that  vast  ocean  of  prairie  which 
extended,  with  scarcely  any  interruption,  to  the  base 
of  the  Rocky  mountains. 

The  borders  of  nearly  all  these  western  streams 
are  fringed  with  a  narrow  belt  of  forest.  Here  where 
there  was  abundance  of  water,  the  richest  of  soil, 
which  needed  but  to  be  "  tickled  with  a  hoe  to  laugh 
with  a  harvest,"  and  where  there  was  an  ample 
supply  of  timber  for  building  and  for  fuel,  they 
found  many  good-looking  Indian  farms  with  Indians 
riding  about  in  their  picturesque  costumes. 

At  an  early  hour  in  the  afternoon  they  encamped 
in  a  smooth  and  luxuriant  meadow,  upon  the  banks 
of  a  small  stream  flowing  into  the  Kansas.  Nearly 
all  the  party  were  experienced  backwoodsmen. 
Speedily,  and  with  almost  military  precision,  the 
camp  was  formed  in  the  following  manner:  The 
eight  carts  were  so  arranged  as  to  present  a  sort  of 
barricade,  encircling  an  area  about  eighty  yards  in 
diameter.  The  cloth  tents,  such  as  are  used  in  the 
army,  were  pitched  inside  the  enclosure.  The 
animals  were  all  hobbled  and  turned  out  to  feed  in 
the  meadow.  The  company  was  divided  into  four 
messes  of  seven  men  each.  Each  mess  had  its  cook. 
They  quickly  prepared  the  evening  meal. 


FREMONT'S  EXPEDITION.  203 

At  nightfall  all  the  animals,  having  been  well  fed 
on  the  abundant  grass,  were  driven  within  the 
enclosure  for  the  night  and  picketed.  A  small  steel- 
shod  picket  was  driven  firmly  into  the  ground,  to 
which  the  animal  was  fastened  by  a  rope  about 
twenty  feet  long.  The  carts  were  regularly  arranged 
for  defending  the  camp.  A  guard  was  mounted  at 
eight  o'clock,  consisting  of  three  men,  who  were 
relieved  every  two  or  three  hours.  At  daybreak 
the  camp  was  roused.  The  hobbled  animals  were 
again  turned  loose  upon  the  meadow  or  prairie  to 
obtain  their  breakfast.  The  breakfast  of  the  men 
was  generally  over  between  six  and  seven  o'clock. 
The  march  was  then  resumed.  There  was  a  halt  at 
noon  for  about  two  hours.  Such  was  the  usual  order 
of  the  march  day  after  day. 

The  second  night,  just  as  they  were  about  to 
encamp,  one  of  the  loose  horses  started  upon  the 
full  gallop,  on  his  return,  and  was  followed  by  several 
others.  Several  men  were  sent  in  pursuit.  They 
did  not  return  with  the  fugitives  until  midnight. 
One  man  lost  his  way  and  passed  the  whole  night 
upon  the  open  prairie.  At  midnight  it  began  to  rain 
violently.  By  some  strange  oversight,  the  tents 
were  of  such  thin  cloth  that  the  rain  soaked  through, 
and  those  within  them  were  thoroughly  drenched. 
The  discomfort  of  the  night,  however,  was  forgotten 


204  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

as  the  dawn  of  the  morning  ushered  in  another 
lovely  summer  day. 

The  journey  through  the  beautiful  and  pictur 
esque  scenery  was  a  delight.  In  the  serene  close  of 
the  afternoon  they  encamped  on  one  of  the  Kansas 
bluffs.  From  this  spot  they  had  an  enchanting 
view  of  the  valley,  about  four  miles  broad,  inter 
spersed  with  beautiful  groves  and  prairies  of  the 
richest  verdure.  This  evening  they  killed  one  of 
their  oxen  for  food.  Thus  far  their  route  had  been 
along  the  southern  bank  of  the  Kansas.  The  next 
day  they  reached  what  was  called  the  ford  of  that 
river,  a  hundred  miles  from  its  entrance  into  the 
Missouri. 

But  the  recent  rains  had  so  swollen  the  stream 
that  it  was  rushing  by,  a  swift  and  rapid  torrent  two 
hundred  and  thirty  yards  wide.  The  river  could  not 
be  forded.  Several  mounted  men  entered  it  to  swim 
their  horses  across,  and  thus  to  act  as  guides  or 
leaders  for  the  rest.  The  remaining  animals  were 
driven  in,  and  all  got  safely  across  excepting  the 
three  oxen,  who  being  more  clumsy  swimmers,  were 
borne  down  by  the  current  and  again  landed  on  the 
right  side.  The  next  morning,  however,  they  were 
got  over  in  safety. 

Lieutenant  Fremont  had  adopted  the  precaution 
of  taking  with  him  a  portable  India  rubber  boat.  It 


FREMONT'S  EXPEDITION.  205 

was  twenty  feet  long  and  five  feet  broad.  It  was 
placed  in  the  water,  and  the  carts  and  the  baggage 
were  carried  over  piecemeal.  Three  men  paddled 
the  boat.  Still  the  current  was  so  strong  that  one 
of  the  best  swimmers  took  in  his  teeth  the  end  of  a 
rope  attached  to  the  boat  and  swam  ahead,  that, 
reaching  the  shore,  he  might  assist  in  drawing  her 
over.  Six  passages  were  successfully  made  and  six 
carts  with  most  of  their  contents  were  transported 
across.  Night  was  approaching,  and  it  was  very 
desirable  that  everything  should  be  upon  the  other 
side  before  the  darkness  closed  in. 

"  I  put,"  says  Lieutenant  Fremont,  "  upon  the 
boat  the  two  remaining  carts.  The  man  at  the  helm 
was  timid  on  the  water  and,  in  his  alarm,  capsized 
the  boat.  Carts,  barrels,  boxes  and  bales  were,  in  a 
moment,  floating  down  the  current.  But  all  the  men 
who  were  on  the  shore  jumped  into  the  water  with 
out  stopping  to  think  if  they  could  swim,  and  almost 
everything,  even  heavy  articles,  was  recovered.  Two 
men  came  very  near  being  drowned.  All  the  sugar 
belonging  to  one  of  the  messes  was  dissolved  in  the 
water  and  lost. 

But  the  heaviest  calamity  of  all  was  the  loss  of  a 
bag  containing  the  coffee  for  the  whole  company. 
There  is  nothing  so  refreshing  to  a  weary  mountain 
eer,  as  a  cup  of  hot  coffee.  Often  afterwards  these 


2O6  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

travellers,  overcome  with  toil,  mourned  the  loss  of 
their  favorite  beverage. 

Kit  Carson  had  made  such  efforts  in  the  water, 
that  in  the  morning  he  was  found  quite  sick. 
Another  of  the  party  also  was  disabled.  Lieutenant 
Fremont,  on  their  account,  and  also  to  repair  dama 
ges,  decided  to  remain  in  camp  for  the  day.  Quite 
a  number  of  the  Kansas  tribe  of  Indians  visited 
them  in  the  most  friendly  manner.  One  of  them 
had  received  quite  a  thorough  education  at  St.  Louis, 
and  could  speak  French  as  fluently  and  correctly  as 
any  Frenchman.  They  brought  vegetables  of  va 
rious  kinds,  and  butter.  They  seemed  very  glad  to 
find  a  market  for  their  productions. 

The  camping-ground  of  the  party  was  on  the 
open,  sunny  prairie,  some  twenty  feet  above  the 
water,  where  the  animals  enjoyed  luxuriant  pastur 
age.  The  party  was  now  fairly  in  the  Indian  coun 
try,  and  the  chances  of  the  wilderness  were  opening 
before  them. 

About  three  weeks  in  advance  of  this  party, 
there  was  a  company  of  emigrants  bound  to  Oregon. 
There  were  sixteen  or  seventeen  families,  men, 
women  and  children.  Sixty-four  of  these  were  men. 
They  had  suffered  severely  from  illness,  and  there 
had  been  many  deaths  among  them.  One  of  these 
emigrants,  who  had  buried  his  child,  and  whose  wife 


FREMONT'S  EXPEDITION.  207 

was  very  ill,  left  the  company  under  the  guidance  of 
a  hunter,  and  returned  to  the  States.  The  hunter 
visited  the  Fremont  camp,  and  took  letters  from 
them  to  their  friends. 

Day  after  day  the  party  thus  journeyed  on,  with 
out  encountering  anything  worthy  of  special  notice. 
They  had  reached  the  Pawnee  country.  These  sav 
ages  were  noted  horse-thieves.  The  route  of  the 
surveyors  led  along  the  banks  of  a  placid  stream, 
about  fifty  feet  wide  and  four  or  five  feet  deep. 
The  view  up  the  valley,  which  was  bordered  by 
gracefully  undulating  hills,  was  remarkably  beautiful. 
The  stream,  as  usual  with  these  western  rivers,  was 
fringed  with  willows,  cottonwood,  and  oak. 
Large  flocks  of  wild  turkeys  tenanted  these  trees. 
Game,  also,  of  a  larger  -kind  made  its  appearance. 
Elk,  antelope  and  deer  bounded  over  the  hills. 

A  heavy  bank  of  black  clouds  in  the  west  ad 
monished  them,  at  an  early  hour  in  the  afternoon,  to 
prepare  for  a  stormy  night.  Scarcely  had  they 
pitched  their  tents  ere  a  violent  wind  came  down 
upon  them,  the  rain  fell  in  torrents  and  incessant 
peals  of  thunder  seemed  to  shake  the  very  hills.  It 
so  happened  that  the  three  who  were  to  stand  guard 
on  that  tempestuous  night,  were  Carson  and  the  two 
young  gentlemen  Brandt  and  Benton. 

"  This  was  their  first  night  on  guard,"  writes  Lieu- 


2O8  CHRISTOPHER    CARSON. 

tenant  Fremont  "  and  such  an  introduction  did  not 
augur  very  auspiciously  of  the  pleasures  of  the  expe 
dition.  Many  things  conspired  to  render  their  situa 
tion  uncomfortable.  Stories  of  desperate  and  bloody 
Indian  fights  were  rife  in  the  camp.  Our  position 
was  badly  chosen,  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  tim 
bered  hollows,  and  occupying  an  area  of  several  hun 
dred  feet,  so  that  necessarily  the  guards  were  far 
apart.  Now  and  then  I  could  hear  Randolph,  as  if 
relieved  by  the  sound  of  a  voice  in  the  darkness, 
calling  out  to  the  sergeant  of  the  guard,  to  direct  his 
attention  to  some  imaginary  alarm.  But  they  stood 
it  out,  and  took  their  turn  regularly  afterwards." 

The  next  morning,  as  they  were  proceeding  up  the 
valley,  several  moving  objects  were  dimly  discerned, 
far  away  upon  the  opposite  hills ;  which  objects  dis 
appeared  before  a  glass  could  be  brought  to  bear 
upon  them.  One  of  the  company,  who  was  in  the 
rear,  came  spurring  up,  in  great  haste,  shouting  "  In 
dians."  He  affirmed  that  he  had  seen  them  dis 
tinctly,  and  had  counted  twenty-seven.  The  party 
immediately  halted.  All  examined  their  arms,  and 
prepared  for  battle,  in  case  they  should  be  attacked. 
Kit  Carson  sprang  upon  one  of  the  most  fleet  of  the 
hunting  horses,  crossed  the  river,  and  galloped  off, 
over  the  prairie,  towards  the  hills  where  the  objects 
had  been  seen. 


FREMONT'S  EXPEDITION.  209 

"Mounted  on  a  fine  horse,  without  a  saddle/' 
writes  Lieutenant  Fremont,  "  and  scouring,  bare 
headed,  over  the  prairies,  Kit  was  one  of  the  finest 
pictures  of  a  horseman  I  had  ever  seen.  He  soon 
returned  quite  leisurely,  and  informed  them  that  the 
party  of  twenty-seven  Indians  had  resolved  itself 
into  a  herd  of  six  elk  who,  having  discovered  us, 
had  scampered  off  at  full  speed." 

The  next  day  they  reached  a  fork  of  the  Blue 
river,  where  the  road  leaves  that  tributary  of  the 
Kansas,  and  passes  over  to  the  great  valley  of  the 
Platte  river.  In  their  march,  across  the  level  prairie 
of  this  high  table-land,  they  encountered  a  squall  of 
rain,  with  vivid  lightning  and  heavy  peals  of  thunder. 
One  blinding  flash  was  accompanied  by  a  bolt,  which 
struck  the  prairie  but  a  few  hundred  feet  from  their 
line,  sending  up  a  column  of  sand. 

A  march  of  about  twenty-three  miles  brought 
them  to  the  waters  of  the  majestic  Platte  river. 
Here  they  found  a  very  delightful  place  of  encamp 
ment  near  Grand  Island.  •  They  had  now  travelled 
three  hundred  and  twenty-eight  miles  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Kansas  river.  They  had  fixed  the 
latitude  and  longitude  of  all  the  important  spots 
they  had  passed,  and  had  carefully  examined  the 
geological  formation  of  the  country. 

They  were   working   their   way   slowly   up   this 


210  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

beautiful  valley,  to  a  point  where  it  was  only  four 
miles  wide.  Here  they  halted  to  "  noon/'  As  they 
were  seated  on  the  grass,  quietly  taking  their  dinner, 
they  were  alarmed  by  the  startling  cry  from  the 
guard,  of  "  All  hands."  In  an  instant  everybody 
was  up,  with  his  rifle  in  hand.  The  horses  were 

immediately  both   hobbled  and  picketed,  while  all 

% 

eyes  were  directed  to  a  wild-looking  band  approach 
ing  in  the  distance.  As  they  drew  near  they  proved 
to  be  a  party  of  fourteen  white  men,  returning  on 
foot  to  the  States.  Their  baggage  was  strapped  to 
their  backs.  It  was  indeed  a  forlorn  and  way-worn 
band.  They  had,  on  a  trapping  excursion,  encoun 
tered  but  a  constant  scene  of  disasters  and  were  now 
returning  to  St.  Louis,  utterly  impoverished. 

They  brought  the  welcome  intelligence  that 
buffaloes  were  in  abundance  two  days'  journey  in 
advance.  After  a  social  hour,  in  which  the  two 
parties  feasted  together,  the  surveyors  mounted 
their  horses,  and  the  trappers  shouldered  their  packs, 
and  the  two  parties  separated  in  different  directions. 
Lieutenant  Fremont  mentions  an  incident  illustrative 
of  the  homeless  life  which  many  of  these  wanderers 
of  the  wilderness  live  : 

"  Among  them,"  he  writes,  "  I  had  found  an  old 
companion  on  a  northern  prairie,  a  hardened  and 
hardly-served  veteran  of  the  mountains,  who  had 


FREMONT  S   EXPEDITION.  211 

been  as  much  hacked  and  scarred  as  an  old  moustache 
of  Napoleon's  Old  Guard.  He  flourished  in  the 
soubriquet  of  La  Tulipe.  His  real  name  I  never 
knew.  Finding  that  he  was  going  to  the  States, 
only  because  his  company  was  bound  in  that  direc 
tion,  and  that  he  was  rather  more  than  willing  to 
return  with  me,  I  took  him  again  into  my  service.'' 

The  company  made  but  seventeen  miles  that 
day.  Just  as  they  had  gone  into  camp,  in  the  even 
ing,  three  Indians  were  discovered  approaching,  two 
men  and  a  boy  of  thirteen.  They  belonged  to  the 
Cheyenne  •  tribe,  and  had  been  off,  with  quite  a 
numerous  band,  on  an  unsuccessful  horse-stealing 
raid  among  the  Pawnees.  Upon  a  summit,  they  had 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  white  men,  and  had  left  their 
companions,  confident  of  finding  kind  treatment  at 
the  camp-fires  of  the  pale  faces. 

They  were  invited  to  supper  with  Lieutenant 
Fremont's  mess.  Young  Randolph  Benton,  and  the 
young  Cheyenne,  after  eying  each  other  suspiciously 
for  some  time,  soon  became  quite  intimate  friends. 
After  supper  one  of  the  Cheyennes  drew,  upon  a 
sheet  of  paper,  very  rudely,  but,  as  it  afterwards 
appeared,  quite  correctly,  a  map  of  the  general 
character  of  the  country  between  the  encampment 
and  their  villages,  which  were  about  three  hundred 
miles  further  west. 


212  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

The  two  next  days  the  party  made  about  forty 
miles.  "The  air  was  keen,"  writes  Lieutenant  Fre 
mont,  "the  next  morning  at  sunrise,  the  thermome 
ter  standing  at  44  degrees.  It  was  sufficiently  cold 
to  make  overcoats  very  comfortable.  A  few  miles 
brought  us  into  the  midst  of  the  buffalo,  swarming 
in  immense  numbers  over  the  plains,  where  they  had 
left  scarcely  a  blade  of  grass  standing.  Mr.  Preuss, 
who  was  sketching  at  a  little  distance  in  the  rear,  had 
at  first  noticed  them  as  large  groves  of  timber.  In 
the  sight  of  such  a  mass  of  life,  the  traveller  feels  a 
strange  emotion  of  grandeur.  We  had  heard,  from 
a  distance,  a  dull  and  confused  murmuring,  and  when 
we  came  in  view  of  their  dark  masses,  there  was  not 
one  among  us  who  did  not  feel  his  heart  beat  quicker. 
It  was  the  early  part  of  the  day  when  the  herds  are 
feeding,  and  every  where  they  are  in  motion.  Here 
and  there  a  huge  old  bull  was  rolling  in  the  grass, 
and  clouds  of  dust  rose  in  the  air  from  various  parts 
of  the  bands. 

Shouts  and  songs  resounded  from  every  part  of 
the  line,  and  our  evening  camp  was  always  the  com 
mencement  of  a  feast  which  terminated  only  with 
our  departure  on  the  following  morning.  At  any 
time  of  the  night  might  be  seen  pieces  of  the  most 
delicate  and  choicest  meat,  roasting  on  sticks  around 
the  fire.  With  pleasant  weather,  and  no  enemy  to 


FREMONT'S  EXPEDITION.  213 

fear,  an  abundance  of  the  most  excellent  meat  and 
no  scarcity  of  bread  or  tobacco,  they  were  enjoying 
an  oasis  of  a  voyageur's  life.'' 

Three  buffalo  cows  were  killed  to-day.  Kit  Carson 
had  shot  one,  and  was  continuing  the  chase  in  the 
midst  of  another  herd,  when  his  horse  fell  headlong, 
but  sprang  up  and  joined  the  flying  band.  Though 
considerably  hurt,  he  had  the  good  fortune,  to  break 
no  bones.  Maxwell,  who  was  mounted  on  a  fleet  hunt 
er,  captured  the  runaway  after  a  hard  chase.  He 
was  on  the  point  of  shooting  him,  to  avoid  the  loss 
of  his  bridle,  a  handsomely  mounted  Spanish  one, 
when  he  found  that  his  horse  was  able  to  come  up 
with  him. 

The  next  day  was  the  first  of  July. 

As  our  adventurers  were  riding  joyfully  along,  over 
a  beautiful  prairie  country,  on  the  right  side  of  the 
river,  a  magnificent  herd  of  buffalo  came  up  from 
the  water  over  the  bank,  not  less  then  seven  or  eight 
hundred  in  number,  and  commenced  slowly  crossing 
the  plain,  grazing  as  they  went.  The  prairie  was  here 
about  three  miles  broad.  This  gave  the  hunters  a 
fine  opportunity  to  charge  upon  them  before  they 
could  escape  among  the  distant  hills.  The  fleet 
horses  for  hunting,  were  brought  up  and  saddled. 
Lieutenant  Fremont,  Kit  Carson  and  L.  Maxwell 
mounted  for  the  chase.  Maxwell  was  a  veteran  pio- 


214  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

neer,  who  had  been  engaged  as  hunter  for  the  ex 
pedition. 

The  herd  were  about  half  a  mile  distant  from  the 
company.  The  three  hunters  rode  quietly  along,  till 
within  about  three  hundred  yards  of  the  herd,  before 
they  seemed  to  be  noticed  by  the  buffaloes.  Then  a 
sudden  agitation  and  wavering  of  the  herd  was  fol 
lowed  by  precipitate  and  thundering  flight.  The 
fleet  horse  can  outstrip  the  buffalo  in  the  race.  The 
three  hunters  plunged  after  them  at  a  hard  gallop. 
A  crowd  of  bulls,  gallantly  defending  the  cows, 
brought  up  the  rear.  Every  now  and  then  they 
would  stop,  for  an  instant,  and  look  back  as  if  half 
disposed  to  show  fight. 

"  In  a  few  moments,"  writes  Lieutenant  Fremont, 
"  during  which  we  had  been  quickening  our  pace,  we 
were  going  over  the  ground  like  a  hurricane.  When 
at  about  thirty  yards  we  gave  the  usual  shout  and 
broke  into  the  herd.  We  entered  on  the  side,  the 
mass  giving  away  in  every  direction  in  their  heedless 
course.  Many  of  the  bulls,  less  fleet  than  the  cows, 
paying  no  heed  to  the  ground,  and  occupied  solely 
with  the  hunters,  were  precipitated  to  the  earth  with 
great  force,  rolling  over  and  over  with  the  violence 
of  the  shock,  and  hardly  distinguishable  in  the  dust. 
We  separated,  on  entering,  each  singling  out  his 
game. 


FREMONT'S  EXPEDITION.  215 

"  My  horse  was  a  trained  hunter,  famous  in  the 
west  under  the  name  of  Proveau,  and  with  his  eyes 
flashing  and  the  foam  flying  from  his  mouth,  he 
sprang  on  after  the  cow,  like  a  tiger.  In  a  few  mo 
ments  he  brought  me  along  side  of  her.  Rising  in 
the  stirrups,  I  fired,  at  the  distance  of  a  yard,  the 
ball  entering  at  the  termination  of  the  long  hair, 
passing  near  the  heart.  She  fell  headlong  at  the  re 
port  of  the  gun.  Checking  my  horse,  I  looked 
around  for  my  companions. 

"  At  a  little  distance  Kit  was  on  the  ground,  en 
gaged  in  tying  his  horse  to  the  horns  of  a  cow,  which 
he  was  preparing  to  cut  up.  Among  the  scattered 
band,  at  some  distance,  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  Max 
well.  While  I  was  looking,  a  light  wreath  of  white 
smoke  curled  away  from  his  gun,  from  which  I  was 
too  far  to  hear  the  report.  Nearer,  and  between  me 
and  the  hills,  towards  which  they  were  directing 
their  course,  was  the  body  of  the  herd.  Giving  my 
horse  the  rein,  we  dashed  after  them.  A  thick  cloud 
of  dust  hung  upon  their  rear,  which  filled  my  mouth 
and  eyes  and  nearly  smothered  me.  In  the  midst 
of  this  I  could  see  nothing,  and  the  buffalo  were  not 
distinguishable  until  within  thirty  feet.  They  crowd 
ed  together  more  densely  still,  as  I  came  upon  them, 
and  rushed  along  in  such  a  compact  body  that  I 


2l6  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

could  not  obtain  an  entrance,  the  horse  almost  leap 
ing  upon  them. 

"  In  a  few  moments  the  mass  divided  to  the  right 
and  left,  the  horns  clattering  with  a  noise  heard 
above  everything  else,  and  my  horse  darted  into  the 
opening.  Five  or  six  bulls  charged  on  us,  as  we 
dashed  along  the  line,  but  were  left  far  behind. 
Singling  out  a  cow  I  gave  her  my  fire,  but  struck  too 
high.  She  gave  a  tremendous  leap  and  scoured  on 
swifter  than  before.  I  reined  up  my  horse,  and  the 
band  swept  on  like  a  torrent,  and  left  the  place 
quiet  and  clear.  Our  chase  had  led  us  into  danger 
ous  ground.  A  prairie-dog  village,  so  thickly  set 
tled  that  there  were  three  or  four  holes  in  twenty 
yards  square,  occupied  the  whole  bottom  for  nearly 
two  miles  in  length." 


CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Return  of  the  Expedition. 

Beautiful  Prairie  Scene.— Fate  of  the  Buffalo  Calf.— Vast  Buffalo 
Herds. — The  Fourth  of  July  on  the  Plains. — Journey  up  the 
South  Fork  of  the  Platte.— Visit  to  Fort  St.  Vrain.— Remonstrance 
of  the  Chiefs. — Second  Marriage  of  Mr.  Carson. — New  Engage 
ments. — Perilous  Ride  to  Santa  Fe. — The  Successful  Mission. — 
The  Noble  Mexican  Boy. — Conflict  with  the  Savage. — Discom 
fiture  of  the  Indians. — Fremont's  Second  Expedition. — Carson 
joins  the  Party. — Course  of  the  Expedition. — Arrival  at  the  Great 
Salt  Lake. 

AFTER  this  exciting  and  successful  buffalo  hunt, 
the  caravan  in  a  long  dark  line  advanced  over  the 
prairie  twenty-four  miles,  and  encamped  on  the  banks 
of  a  stream,  where  they  feasted  abundantly  upon  the 
choicest  cuts  of  buffalo  beef.  Wolves  were  howling 
around  them  all  night,  their  instinct  teaching  them 
that  bones  would  be  left  there  which  they  would  be 
privileged  to  gnaw.  In  the  morning  the  wolves 
were  seen  sitting  around  at  a  short  distance,  barking 
and  growling  impatiently,  waiting  for  the  departure 
of  the  caravan. 

Resuming  their  march,  they  ascended  the  stream 
about  eighteen  miles,  where  they  found  a  fording- 

10 


2l8  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

place  and  crossed  over  to  the  northern  bank.  Here 
there  opened  before  them  a  rich  and  beautiful  prairie, 
bordered  with  gentle  eminences  on  the  north  and 
the  south.  This  prairie  extended  about  twenty  miles 
along  the  banks  of  the  river  and  was  nearly  six  miles 
wide.  Its  vast  expanse  was  almost  as  smooth  as  a 
gentleman's  lawn,  and  was  waving  with  a  luxuriant 
growth  of  grass  and  flowers.  The  river  was  skirted 
with  a  slight  fringe  of  willow  and  cottonwood  trees. 
As  Lieutenant  Fremont  intended  to  return  by 
the  same  route,  he  concealed  here  for  his  homeward 
journey,  in  what  is  called  a  cache,  a  barrel  of  pork. 
They  encamped  in  the  evening  upon  the  open  prairie. 
As  there  was  no  wood  at  hand,  they  built  their  fires 
of  the  dry  excrement  of  the  buffalo.  This  substance, 
which  was  called  buffalo  chips,  burns  like  turf  and 
forms  a  very  good  substitute  for  wood.  Immense 
numbers  of  wolves  surrounded  the  camp  at  night, 
with  an  incessant  and  hideous  howling  and  barking. 
In  the  morning,  while  the  explorers  were  sitting 
quietly  at  breakfast,  a  small  buffalo  calf  rushed  frantic 
with  terror  through  the  camp,  pursued  by  two  wolves. 
The  helpless  little  thing,  separated  from  the  herd,  had 
probably  mistaken  the  animals  of  the  caravan  for  a 
herd  of  buffaloes.  The  frightened  creature,  discov 
ering  its  error,  continued  its  precipitate  flight.  The 
wolves,  too  wary  to  enter  the  camp,  made  a  circuit 


THE   RETURN   OF   THE   EXPEDITION.  2 19 

around  it,  thus  the  calf  got  a  little  the  start.  It 
strained  every  nerve  to  reach  a  large  herd  of  buffaloes 
at  the  foot  of  the  hills,  about  two  miles  distant. 
Wolf  after  wolf  joined  in  the  chase  until  more  than 
thirty  were  yelping  in  the  hot  pursuit. 

A  bull  came  out  to  the  rescue  of  the  little  one, 
but  was  overpowered  and  driven  back.  Soon  the 
foremost  of  the  pack  fastened  their  fangs  into  the 
calf,  the  rest  were  instantly  upon  him,  and  the  quiv 
ering  animal  was  pulled  down,  torn  to  pieces  and 
devoured  almost  before  he  was  dead.  Every  reader 
will  sympathize  with  the  remark  of  Lieutenant 
Fremont : 

"  We  watched  the  chase  with  the  interest  always 
felt  for  the  weak.  Had  there  been  a  saddled  horse 
at  hand  he  would  have  fared  better." 

As  the  caravan  was  slowly  advancing  that  after 
noon,  vast  clouds  of  dust  on  their  right  near  the  hills 
attracted  their  attention.  Several  enormous  herds 
of  buffalo  seemed  to  emerge  from  these  clouds, 
galloping  down  towards  the  river.  By  the  time  the 
first  bands  had  reached  the  water  the  whole  prairie 
seemed  darkened  with  the  countless  multitudes,  num 
bering  thousands  upon  thousands.  They  stretched 
in  an  unbroken  line  from  the  hills  to  the  river,  and 
fording  the  river  passed  on  to  the  other  side. 

The  prairie  here  was  not  less  than  two  miles  wide. 


220  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

The  mighty  mass  filled  the  whole  expanse.  As  they 
reached  the  caravan,  they  circled  around  it  leaving 
the  travellers  an  open  space  of  two  or  three  hundred 
yards.  The  caravan  continued  its  march,  and  the 
buffaloes  continued  their  flow,  until  towards  evening, 
when  the  company  reached  its  camping-ground. 

It  was  the  evening  of  the  fourth  of  July.  All 
through  the  day  preparations  were  being  made  to 
celebrate  the  anniversary  by  a  great  feast.  Lieuten 
ant  Fremont  gives  the  following  attractive  account 
of  the  bill  of  fare  : 

"The  kindness  of  our  friends  at  St.  Louis  had 
provided  us  "with  a  large  supply  of  excellent  pre 
serves  and  rich  fruit  cake.  When  these  were  added 
to  macaroni  soup  and  variously  prepared  dishes  of 
the  nicest  buffalo  meat,  crowned  with  a  cup  of  coffee, 
and  enjoyed  with  prairie  appetites,  we  felt  as  we  sat 
in  barbaric  luxury  around  our  smoking  supper  on  the 
grass,  a  greater  sensation  of  enjoyment  than  the 
Roman  epicure  at  his  perfumed  feast.  But  most  of 
all  it  seemed  to  please  our  Indian  friends  who,  in  the 
unrestrained  enjoyment  of  the  moment,  demanded 
to  know  if  our  medicine  days  came  often." 

The  party  had  now  reached  near  the  point  where 
the  north  and  south  fork  of  the  Platte  river  unite. 
Lieutenant  Fremont  wished  to  explore  the  south 
branch,  to  obtain  some  astronomical  observations,  and 


THE   RETURN   OF  THE   EXPEDITION.  221 

to  determine  the  mouths  of  its  tributaries,  as  far  as 
St.  Vrain's  fort.  He  also  hoped  to  obtain  some  mules 
there  which  he  greatly  needed.  He  took  with  him 
nine  men.  The  three  Cheyenne  Indians  accompa 
nied  him,  as  their  village  was  upon  that  stream.  The 
remainder  of  the  company  followed  up  the  north  fork 
to  Fort  Laramie  to  be  joined  by  their  companions 
there. 

The  journey  proved  an  arduous  one.  It  was  in 
tolerably  hot ;  there  were  frequent  tempests,  with 
floods  of  rain  and  violent  gusts  of  wind.  The  bot 
tom  lands  on  each  side  of  the  river  seemed  absolutely 
covered  with  buffaloes.  Upon  ascending  any  emi- 
ence  vast  herds  were  seen  grazing  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  reach.  Our  adventurers  pressed  on,  quietly 
and  cautiously,  following  the  windings  of  the  stream. 
On  the  fourth  day  they  discovered  Indians  in  the 
distance  ;  a  band  of  three  hundred,  well  mounted. 
Maxwell  recognized  the  chief.  This  secured  for 
them  a  friendly  reception.  They  were  led  into  their 
village.  It  consisted  of  a  hundred  and  twenty-five 
lodges  bordering  a  broad  irregular  street. 

After  a  hospitable  entertainment,  they  continued 
their  journey  and  encamped  in  a  little  grove  of  cot- 
tonwood,  in  a  cold  drizzling  rain.  The  next  morn 
ing  they  caught  their  first  glimpse  of  the  Rocky 
mountains,  about  sixty  miles  distant.  That  day 


222  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

they  came  across  a  camp  of  four  or  five  white  men 
who  were  on  a  trapping  expedition.  They  had  all 
taken  Indian  wives,  and  a  large  number  "  of  little  fat 
buffalo-fed  boys  were  tumbling  about  the  camp,  all 
apparently  of  the  same  age,  about  three  or  four 
years  old."  Their  camp  was  on  a  rich  bottom,  lux 
uriant  with  grass,  and  they  had  many  well  fed  horses 
and  mules. 

They  reached  St.  Vrain's  fort  on  the  tenth,  where 
they  were  hospitably  received  by  Mr.  St.  Vrain. 
They  purchased  several  horses  and  mules,  and  hired 
three  additional  men  to  accompany  them  across  the 
country,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles,  to  Fort 
Laramie.  On  the  twelfth  they  recommenced  their 
journey,  and  reached  the  fort  on  the  fifteenth.  This 
trading  post  was  quite  an  imposing  military  construc 
tion,  with  large  bastions  at  the  corners,  its  lofty  walls 
being  whitewashed  and  picketed.  A  cluster  of 
lodges  of  Sioux  Indians  was  pitched  almost  under  the 
shadow  of  its  wall.  The  party  which  Kit  Carson 
had  accompanied  had  arrived  a  few  days  before,  and 
was  encamped  near  by. 

Here  Fremont  received  the  alarming  intelligence 
that  there  was  great  excitement  among  the  Indians 
beyond.  They  were  all  assuming  a  hostile  attitude. 
Several  parties  of  whites  had  already  been  cut  off 
and  massacred.  Most  of  the  men,  at  the  Fort,  re- 


THE   RETURN  OF  THE   EXPEDITION.  223 

monstrated  against  his  advance  till  the  country  should 
be  somewhat  settled.  Even  Kit  Carson,  though  per 
fectly  ready  himself  to  proceed,  declared  his  convic 
tion  that  the  danger  was  imminent,  and  that  some 
encounters  with  the  Indians  were  inevitable.  He 
made  his  will,  left  it  at  the  fort  and  was  prepared 
to  go. 

Just  before  starting,  the  Sioux  chiefs  encamped 
at  the  fort  almost  forced  themselves  into  Lieutenant 
Fremont's  presence  and ,  presented  him  the  following 
remonstrance  written  in  good  French : 

"  Mr.  Fremont : 

"  The  chiefs,  having  assembled  in  council,  have 
just  told  me  to  warn  you  not  to  set  out  before  the 
party  of  young  men,  which  is  now  out,  shall  have  re 
turned.  They  tell  me  that  they  are  sure  they  will 
fire  upon  you  as  soon  as  they  meet  you.  They  are 
expected  back  in  seven  or  eight  days.  Excuse  me 
for  making  these  observations,  but  it  seems  my  duty 
to  warn  you  of  danger.  Moreover  the  chiefs,  who 
prohibit  your  setting  out  before  the  return  of  the 
warriors,  are  the  bearers  of  this  note.  I  am  your 
obedient  servant, 

"  JOSEPH  BISSONNETTE." 

The  chiefs  who  brought  this  note,  four  in  num 
ber,  sat  in  silence  until  it  had  been  read.  One  of 
them  rose  and  stepping  forward  shook  hands  with 
Mr.  Fremont,  and  then  said : 


224 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


"  You  have  come  among  us  at  a  bad  time.  Some 
of  our  people  have  been  killed,  and  our  young  men, 
who  are  gone  to  the  mountains,  are  eager  to  avenge 
the  blood  of  their  relations,  which  has  been  shed  by 
the  whites.  Our  young  men  are  bad.  If  they  meet 
you  they  will  believe  that  you  are  carrying  goods 
and  ammunition  to  their  enemies,  and  will  fire  upon 
you.  You  have  told  us  that  this  will  make  war. 
We  know  that  our  great  father  has  many  soldiers, 
and  big  guns,  and  we  are  anxious  to  have  our  lives. 
We  love  the  whites  and  are  desirous  of  peace. 
Thinking  of  all  these  things,  we  have  determined  to 
keep  you  here  until  our  warriors  return.'' 

The  others  followed  in  the  same  strain.  Lieu 
tenant  Fremont  had  the  pride  of  an  American 
military  officer,  and  was  not  disposed  to  be  driven 
from  his  course  by  threats  of  danger.  He  also  be 
lieved  the  stories  of  peril  to  be  greatly  exaggerated, 
and  that  the  great  object  of  the  chiefs  was  to  prevent 
him  from  going  farther  into  their  country,  where  he 
had  openly  avowed  it  was  his  intention  to  establish 
a  military  fort.  He  therefore,  in  reply,  urged  that 
two  or  three  of  the  chiefs  should  accompany  him 
until  they  should  meet  the  young  men.  He  said 
they  should  eat  at  his  table  and  sleep  in  his  tent,  and 
that  he  would  abundantly  reward  them  on  their 
return. 


THE   RETURN   OF  THE   EXPEDITION.  225 

This  they  declined  to  do,  saying  that  they  were 
too  old  for  such  a  journey. 

Mr.  Fremont  then  said  to  them,  "  You  say  that 
you  love  the  whites.  But  you  are  unwilling  to 
undergo  a  few  days'  ride  to  save  our  lives.  We  do 
not  believe  you.  We  will  not  listen  to  you.  We  are 
the  soldiers  of  the  great  chief  your  father.  He  has 
told  us  to  come  here  and  see  this  country,  and  all 
the  Indians.  We  shall  not  go  back.  We  are  few  and 
you  are  many.  You  may  kill  us  all.  But  do  you 
think  that  our  great  chief  will  let  his  soldiers  die  and 
forget  to  cover  their  graves  ?  Before  the  snows  melt, 
his  warriors  will  sweep  away  your  villages  as  the  fire 
does  the  prairie  in  the  autumn.  See  !  I  have  pulled 
down  my  white  houses,  and  my  people  are  ready. 
When  the  sun  is  ten  paces  higher,  we  shall  be  on  the 
march." 

They  left  the  fort  on  the  twenty-second  of  July, 
and  followed  up  the  north  fork  of  the  Platte  for 
three  weeks,  encountering  no  molestation  from  the 
Indians,  and  meeting  only  with  the  ordinary  hard 
ships  to  be  expected  in  travelling  through  the  wil 
derness.  They  generally  found  a  sufficiency  of  water, 
of  grazing  and  of  game.  They  at  length  found 
themselves  among  the  wildest  ravines  of  the  Rocky 
mountains.  Here  they  employed  themselves  day 
after  day  in  astronomical  and  geological  observations, 
10* 


226 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


and  then  commenced  their  return.  All  the  objects 
of  their  expedition  had  been  successfully  accom 
plished.  They  reached  Fort  Laramie  early  in 
September.  Kit  Carson's  labors  were  now  ended. 
He  had  joined  the  expedition  as  hunter  and  guide. 
In  neither  of  these  offices  were  his  services  any  longer 
required.  He  therefore  remained  at  the  fort,  while 
the  surveying  party  returned  to  St.  Louis. 

Mr.  Carson's  Indian  wife  had  long  been  dead. 
Four  months  after  this,  in  February,  he  married  a 
Mexican  lady,  named  Senora  Josepha  Jarimilla. 
This  lady  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  her 
for  her  many  virtues,  and  was  also  endowed  with 
much  personal  beauty.  She  subsequently  became 
the  mother  of  three  children,  for  whom  Mr.  Carson 
has  ever  manifested  the  strongest  attachment. 

Two  months  after  his  marriage  he  engaged  as  a 
hunter  to  accompany  an  expedition  of  Messrs.  Bent 
and  Vrain's  wagons  to  the  United  States.  When 
about  half-way  across  the  plains,  they  struck  the  great 
Santa  Fe  trail.  Here  Carson  and  his  companions 
came  upon  an  encampment  of  Captain  Cook,  with 
four  companies  of  U.  S.  Dragoons.  They  were 
escorting  a  train  of  Mexican  wagons,  as  far  as  the 
boundary  line  between  the  United  States  and  New 
Mexico.  The  region  was  infested  with  robber  bands 
and  it  was  deemed  important  that  the  richly  freighted 


THE   RETURN   OF  THE   EXPEDITION.          22/ 

caravan  should  not  encounter  harm  within  the  limits 
of  the  United  States. 

The  Mexicans  were  apprehensive  that,  as  soon  as 
they  should  separate  from  their  American  protectors, 
they  should  be  attacked  upon  entering  Texas,  by  a 
large  body  of  Texan  Rangers,  who,  it  was  reported, 
were  waiting  for  them.  They  therefore  offered  Kit 
Carson,  with  whose  energetic  character  they  were 
well  acquainted,  three  hundred  dollars,  if  he  would 
carry  a  letter  to  Armijo  the  governor  of  New  Mexico, 
who  resided  at  Santa  Fe.  This  letter  contained  an 
application  to  the  governor  to  send  them  an  escort. 
To  convey  the  letter  required  a  journey  of  between 
three  and  four  hundred  miles  through  a  wilderness, 
rilled  with  hostil'e  Indian  bands. 

Carson  accepted  the  offer,  and  engaging  another 
man,  Owens,  to  accompany  him,  rode  back  to  Fort 
Bent.  Here  he  learned  that  the  Indians,  through 
whose  territory  he  must  pass,  were  all  up  in  arms 
against  the  whites,  and  that  the  journey  would  be 
full  of  peril.  Owens  refused  to  go  farther.  Carson 
was  not  a  man  to  turn  from  duty  because  of  danger. 
He  found  no  one  at  the  fort  who  could  be  induced 
to  share  the  peril  with  him.  He  therefore  set  out 
alone.  In  addition  to  the  powerful  horse  which  he 
rode,  Colonel  Bent  furnished  him  with  a  magnificent 
and  fleet  steed,  which  he  led  as  a  reserve  corps. 
8 


228  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

Very  rapidly  Carson  pressed  on  his  way,  watch 
ing  for  Indian  trails  and  carefully  avoiding  all  their 
wandering  bands.  From  every  eminence  he  narrowly 
examined  the  wide  and  generally  treeless  expanse 
spread  out  before  him,  in  search  of  any  sign  of  the 
foe.  One  afternoon  he  £aw,  far  away  in  the  distance, 
an  Indian  encampment  of  many  lodges,  directly  on 
his  trail.  He  immediately  sought  an  out  of  the  way 
place,  where  he .  might  effectually  secrete  himself 
until  night.  When  darkness  came  on,  he,  by  a  cir 
cuitous  route,  passed  the  camp  of  the  savages  and 
pressed  rapidly  on  his  way.  In  a  fe\v  days  he  reached 
Taos,  much  exhausted  by  his  impetuous  ride. 

He  immediately  called  upon  the  mayor  of  the 
town,  to  whom  he  delivered  the  dispatches,  and  he 
at  once  sent  an  agent  with  them,  down  south  a  dis 
tance  of  about  thirty  miles  to  the  governor  at  Santa 
Fe.  He  waited  at  Taos  the  return  of  the  messenger 
to  recruit  himself  and  horses  in  preparation  for  his 
ride  back.  The  response  was  that  Governor  Armijo 
had  sent  a  hundred  Mexican  dragoons  to  seek  the 
caravan,  and  that  he  was  about  to  follow  with  six 
hundred  more.  We  may  mention  in  passing,  that 
this  company  of  one  hundred  men,  were  attacked 
after  a  few  days'  march,  by  a  large  body  of  Texan 
rangers,  and  were  all  massacred  except  one,  who 
escaped  on  a  fleet  horse. 


THE   RETURN  OF  THE   EXPEDITION.          229 

Governor  Armijo  and  his  dragoons,  as  they  were 
on  their  way,  learned  of  this  massacre,  and  hearing 
exaggerated  reports  of  the  strength  of  the  Texan 
Rangers,  retreated  rapidly  to  their  fortification  at 
Santa  Fe.  The  governor,  in  the  meantime,  entrusted 
dispatches  to  Carson,  thinking  that  he,  by  riding 
express,  could  reach  the  caravan  before  the  govern 
mental  troops  could  come  to  their  aid. 

Carson  was  a  remarkable  judge  of  character.  He 
selected,  as  a  companion  for  his  return,a  Mexican  boy 
whose  innate  nobility  was  soon  developed.  When 
two  days  out  from  Taos,  Carson  and  his  young  com 
panion  came  suddenly  upon  four  Indian  warriors. 
There  was  no  escape,  for  the  warriors,  though  at  a 
distance,  had  seen  them,  and  were  riding  rapidly 
down  upon  them.  This  noble  young  Mexican 
promptly  turned  to  Kit  Carson  and  said,  "  I  am  but  a 
boy  and  perhaps  the  Indians  will  spare  my  life.  At 
any  rate  your  life  is  much  more  valuable  than  mine. 
Therefore  mount  the  horse  you  are  leading  without 
delay,  and  you  can  undoubtedly  make  your  escape." 

Kit  Carson  replied,  "  I  cannot  and  I  will  not  for 
sake  you.  We  must  stand  our  ground  together.  If 
we  have  to  die,  let  us  take  each  with  us  an  Indian 
warrior.'' 

At  this  time  the  Indians  had  come  near  and 
halted  out  of  rifle  range,  as  Carson  and  his  compan- 


230 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


ion  were  taking  deliberate  aim  at  them,  thus  forbid 
ding  a  nearer  approach.  One  of  the  savages  then 
alighted,  and  leaving  his  arms  behind  him,  came  for 
ward  for  a  parley.  He  assumed  to  be  very  much  at 
his  ease,  and  approached  with  a  careless,  swaggering 
air  and  a  smile,  and  offered  his  hand  in  token  of 
friendship.  Carson  accepted  the  proffered  hand. 
The  moment  it  was  released,  the  savage,  a  man  of 
herculean  frame,  grasped  his  rifle  endeavoring  to 
wrench  it  from  him,  doubtless  intending  instantly  to 
shoot  him  down,  when  the  boy  would  easily  become 
their  captive.  But  Carson,  with  his  clenched  fist  and 
sinewy  arm,  gave  the  Indian  instantly  such  a  blow 
between  the  eyes  as  rolled  him  prostrate  upon  the 
grass,  with  the  blood  spouting  from  his  nostrils. 

The  Indian,  apprehensive  that  the  next  moment 
a  rifle  ball  would  pierce  his  heart,  sprang  up  and 
with  the  fleetness  of  an  antelope  rejoined  his  com 
panions.  They  were  on  the  open  prairie.  There 
was  nothing  to  afford  either  party  the  slightest  pro 
tection.  The  Indians  slowly  and  cautiously  ad 
vanced,  until  they  came  within  speaking  distance. 
Carson,  who  could  speak  their  language,  hailed  them 
and  ordered  them  to  stop.  He  then  assured  them, 
that  if  they  advanced  any  farther  or  made  any  hos 
tile  demonstration  whatever,  two  of  their  number 
would  certainly  and  instantly  die. 


THE   RETURN   OF   THE   EXPEDITION.  23! 

The  savages  began  to  bluster,  primed  their  guns, 
and  boasted  of  what  they  intended  to  do.  But  even 
to  their  darkened  minds  it  was  manifest  that  two  out 
of  the  four,  in  case  of  hostilities,  must  certainly  fall 
before  the  rifles  of  the  white  man.  And  should 
the  remaining  two  rush  on  before  their  opponents 
could  reload,  still  the  white  men  had  their  revolvers 
in  hand,  and  it  was  not  improbable  that  the  other 
two  might  be  shot.  These  were  not  the  circumstances 
under  which  the  Indians  were  willing  to  enter  into 
battle.  After  a  short  delay  and  many  defiant  ges 
tures,  they  departed. 

Mr.  Carson  and  his  noble-hearted  boy  immedi 
ately  resumed  their  journey,  and  after  five  days  of 
hard  riding  reached  Fort  Bent.  Here  Mr.  Carson 
learned  that  the  Texan  Rangers,  having  incautiously 
entered  the  territory  of  the  United  States,  were  all 
captured  and  disarmed.  This  relieved  the  conduct 
ors  of  the  Mexican  train  from  all  anxiety.  The  dis 
patches  which  Mr.  Carson  had  borne  were  left  at 
the  fort,  from  which  place  they  were  sent  back  to 
Santa  Fe. 

A  few  days  before  Mr.  Carson  arrived  at 'Bent's 
Fort,  from  this  expedition  into  New  Mexico,  Mr. 
Fremont  had  passed  by,  on  a  second  expedition  to 
the  still  far  off  west.  Carson  was  anxious  to  see  his 
old  friend  and  comrade  again.  He  mounted  his 


232 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


horse  and,  following  his  trail,  by  rapid  riding  over 
took  him  after  a  pursuit  of  seventy  miles.  Colonel 
Fremont  manifested  the  greatest  pleasure  in  again 
meeting  Mr.  Carson,  and  so  urged  him  to  join  the 
expedition  that  he  decided  to  do  so.  It  had  become 
manifest  that  the  party  needed  more  mules  to  as 
sist  them  in  their  operations.  In  climbing  wild 
mountains  these  hardy  animals  are  far  more  valuable 
than  horses. 

Kit  Carson  was  sent  back  to  Fort  Bent  to  procure 
the  mules,  and  to  rejoin  the  party  at  St.  Vrain's  Fort, 
on  the  south  fork  of  the  Platte.  Here  Major  Fitz- 
patrick,  with  a  reinforcement  of  forty  men,  was 
added  to  the  expedition.  On  Mr.  Carson's  return 
with  the  mules,  the  exploring  party  was  divided  into 
two  forces ;  the  main  body,  under  Major  Fitzpatrick, 
following  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river  to  the  site  of 
the  present  city  of  Denver,  and  then  west,  through 
the  passes  of  the  mountains.  They  took  with  them 
nearly  all  the  camp  equipage. 

Colonel  Fremont,  with  Kit  Carson  as  a  guide,  ac 
companied  by  fifteen  men,  in  what  may  be  called 
light  marching  order,  followed  along  the  Thomp 
son  river  some  miles,  directly  west,  then  struck  north 
about  thirty  miles,  to  the  Cache  le  Poudre  river. 
This  stream  they  followed  up  in  a  northwesterly 
direction  some  sixty  miles,  through  a  ravine  in  the 


THE   RETURN   OF  THE   EXPEDITION.  233 

mountains,  till  they  reached  the  head  waters  of  the 
Laramie  river.  They  then  pushed  on  in  a  still  north 
westerly  direction,  under  the  eastern  brows  of  the 
Rocky  mountains,  through  a  somewhat  broken, 
though  prairie  country,  two  hundred  miles,  to  the 
Sweetwater  river. 

They  then  pressed  on,  two  or  three  hundred  miles 
directly  west,  through  the  south  pass  of  the  Rocky 
mountains,  along  the  route  now  followed  by  the  Cen 
tral  Pacific  Railroad,  to  Soda  Springs,  on  Bear  river. 
From  this  point  Kit  Carson  was  sent,  with  one  com 
panion  and  a  relay  of  mules,  about  forty  miles  in  a 
northwesterly  direction  to  Fort  Hall,  on  Snake  river, 
to  obtain  supplies.  He  was  directed  to  meet  the 
remaining  party  at  the  extreme  end  of  the  Great  Salt 
Lake.  As  usual  he  successfully  accomplished  his 
mission  and  rejoined  his  companions. 

The  whole  body  then  journeyed  down  the  east 
ern  shores  of  this  immense  inland  sea,  about  twenty 
miles.  They  were  delighted  with  the  beauty  of  the 
scenery  opening  before  them,  and  were  very  busy  in 
taking  observations  and  exploring  the  country 
through  which  they  passed.  Far  out  in  the  lake 
there  was  seen  a  very  attractive  and  densely  wooded 
island.  Colonel  Fremont  had  with  him  an  india  rub 
ber  boat,  which,  with  inflated  air  chambers,  was  very 
buoyant.  Improvidently  the  plates  of  the  boat  had 


234 


CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 


been  gummed  together  only,  instead  of  being  also 
sewed.  Thus  the  boat  was  very  frail  and  could  not 
endure  the  strain  of  a  heavy  sea. 

It  was  the  latter  part  of  August,  1843,  when  Colo 
nel  Fremont  encamped  on  these  shores.  Though 
this  was  but  thirty  years  ago,  that  now  quite  popu 
lous  region,  had  then  been  visited  only  by  trappers 
in  search  of  beaver  streams.  Colonel  Fremont  de 
cided  to  visit  the  island.  He  selected  a  pleasant 
spot  for  encampment,  in  a  grove  on  one  of  the  banks 
of  Bear  river,  near  its  entrance  into  the  lake.  He 
felled  timber  so  as  to  make  a  large  pen  for  the  ani 
mals.  He  then  erected  a  rude  fort,  which-would  pro 
tect  the  company  from  any  ordinary  band  of  In 
dians.  The  boat  was  repaired  with  gum,  and  the  air 
chambers  inflated.  Game  was  found  to  be  scarce,  and 
their  provisions  were  about  exhausted.  He  therefore 
sent  back  one  half  his  party  to  Fort  Hall  for  supplies. 

Leaving  two  or  three  to  guard  the  fort  and  the 
horses,  Colonel  Fremont,  with  Carson  and  three 
other  men,  set  out  on  their  expedition  to  explore  the 
island.  It  was  a  very  beautiful  morning,  the  eighth  of 
September.  Slowly  they  floated  down  the  romantic 
stream,  frequently  stopping  to  get  a  shot  at  the  wild 
geese  and  ducks  they  met  on  their  way.  It  was  not 
until  the  edge  of  the  evening  that  they  reached  the 
outlet  of  the  river. 


THE  RETURN   OF  THE   EXPEDITION.  235 

They  encamped  in  a  small  willow  grove,  where 
they  found  an  abundance  of  drift-wood  for  their 
camp  fire.  The  game  they  had  taken  furnished  their 
supper.  They  made  for  themselves  soft  beds  of  the 
tender  willow  twigs,  and  in  a  mild  atmosphere,  be 
neath  a  starlit  sky,  slept  soundly  till  morning.  The 
voices  of  millions  of  waterfowl,  around  them,  did  not 
disturb  their  slumbers. 


CHAPTER   XII. 


Marches  and  Battles. 


Entering  the  Lake. — Dangerous  Navigation. — The  Return  to  Camp. — 
Feast  upon  Horse  Flesh. — Meeting  the  Indians. — Joyful  Meeting. 
— Return  to  Fort  Hall. — Feasting  at  the  Fort. — The  Party  Di- 
minished. — The  Journey  down  Snake  River. — Crossing  the  Sierra 
Nevada. — Carson  Rescues  Fremont. — Fort  Sutler. — Heroic 
Achievement  of  Carson. — Disbanding  the  Party. — The  third  Ex 
pedition. — Crossing  the  Desert. — Threatened  by  the  Mexicans. — 
Fight  with  the  'Indians. — The  Surprise. — Chastisement  of  the 
Indians. 

THE  morning  of  the  ninth  of  September  dawned 
upon  our  voyagers  remarkably  serene  and  beautiful. 
They  hurried  through  breakfast  to  make  an  early 
start.  The  water  was  found  so  shallow,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  that  it  would  not  float  the  boat.  They 
were  compelled  to  take  off  their  clothes  and  wade 
through  the  soft  mud  for  the  distance  of  a  mile,  drag 
ging  the  boat,  when  they  came  to  deep  water.  The 
whole  wide  marshy  expanse  seemed  to  be  covered 
with  waterfowl  of  every  description,  filling  the  air 
with  their  discordant  voices.  Though  it  was  calm, 
there  was  quite  a  heavy  swell  upon  the  ocean-like 
lake.  The  waters  were  of  crystal  clearness,  though 


MARCHES  AND   BATTLES.  237 

so  thoroughly  saturated  with  salt  that  the  spray  left 
a  saline  crust  upon  the  clothing. 

They  reached  the  island  and  ascended  its  loftiest 
peak,  which  was  about  eight  hundred  feet  high.  It 
is  almost  certain  that  never  since  the  creation. had  a 
white  man's  foot  trod  that  summit. 

"  As  we  looked,"  writes  Colonel  Fremont,  "  over 
the  vast  expanse  of  water  spread  out  beneath  us,  and 
strained  our  eyes  along  the  silent  shore,  over  which 
hung  so  much  doubt  and  uncertainty,  I  could  hardly 
repress  the  desire  to  continue  our  exploration.  But 
the  lengthening  snow  on  the  mountains,  spreading 
farther  and  farther,  was  a  plain  indication  of  the  ad 
vancing  season,  and  our  frail  linen  boat  appeared  so 
insecure  that  I  was  unwilling  to  trust  our  lives  to  the 
uncertainties  of  the  lake.  I  therefore  unwillingly  re 
solved  to  terminate  our  survey  here  and  to  remain 
satisfied  for  the  present  with  what  we  had  been  able 
to  add  to  the  unknown  geography  of  the  region.  We 
felt  also  pleasure  in  remembering  that  we  were  the 
first  who,  in  the  traditionary  annals  of  the  country, 
had  visited  the  island  and  broken  with  the  cheerful 
sound  of  hu-man  voices,  the  long  solitude  of  the 
place. 

"  Out  of  the  drift-wood  on  the  beach,  we  made 
ourselves  pleasant  little  lodges,  open  to  the  water, 
and,  after  having  kindled  large  fires,  to  excite  the 


238 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


wonder  of  any  straggling  savage  on  the  lake  shores, 
lay  down,  for  the  first  time  in  a  long  journey,  in  per 
fect  security,  no  one  thinking  about  his  arms.  The 
evening  was  extremely  bright  and  pleasant.  But  the 
wind  rose  during  the  night,  and  the  waves  began  to 
break  heavily,  making  our  island  tremble.  I  had  not 
expected,  in  our  inland  journey,  to  hear  the  roar  of 
an  ocean  surf.  The  strangeness  of  our  situation, 
and  the  excitement  we  felt,  in  the  associated  inter 
ests  of  the  place,  made  this  one  of  the  most  interest 
ing  nights  I  remember  during  our  long  expedition." 

The  next  morning  they  set  out  at  an  early  hour, 
on  their  return  to  the  main  land,  about  nine  miles 
distant.  When  they  had  rowed  about  three  miles 
the  clouds  gathered,  menacing  a  storm,  and  a  strong 
wind  rose,  blowing  directly  against  them.  The 
heavy  sea  which  they  encountered  caused  a  leakage 
in  the  air  chambers  of  the  boat,  and  they  were  in 
imminent  danger  of  finding  a  grave  in  the  bottom  of 
the  lake.  It  was  with  much  difficulty  that  a  man, 
stationed  at  the  bellows,  supplied  the  chamber  with 
air  as  fast  as  it  escaped. 

At  length  they  effected  a  landing  on  marshy 
ground,  about  nine  miles  from  the  encampment. 
Two  men  were  immediately  dispatched  to  the  camp 
to  bring  horses  to  take  back  the  boat  and  baggage. 

"  The  rude  looking  shelter,"  writes  Colonel  Fre- 


MARCHES   AND   BATTLES.  239 

mont,  "  we  raised  on  the  shore,  our  scattered  baggage 
and  boat  lying  on  the  beach  made  quite  a  picture. 
We  called  this  the  fisherman's  camp." 

The  horses  arrived  in  the  afternoon.  It  was  then 
blowing  such  a  gale  that  a  man  could  hardly  stand 
against  it.  The  water  of  the  lake  was  rapidly  rising, 
forced  in  by  the  wind.  Very  hurriedly  they  packed 
their  baggage  and  had  scarcely  left  the  spot  ere  it 
was  entirely  submerged.  They  reached  the  camp 
in  the  edge  of  the  evening,  just  in  time  to  escape  a 
thunder  storm,  which  blackened  the  sky  and  deluged 
the  earth  with  rain.  The  next  day  they  remained  at 
the  camp,  and  boiled  down  five  gallons  of  lake  water 
which  yielded  fourteen  pints  of  very  fine  white  salt. 
The  ensuing  morning  was  calm  and  beautiful,  as  is 
almost  invariably  the  case  during  the  summer  and 
autumnal  months,  throughout  all  that  region. 

They  now  commenced  their  return  by  the  same 
route  they  had  already  traversed,  ascending  the 
valley  of  the  Bear  river  towards  the  north.  Day 
after  day  they  journeyed  on,  without  meeting  much 
game,  and  their  supply  of  food  was  nearly  exhausted. 
All  the  party  seemed  low-spirited,  and  trudged  along 
in  silence.  Scarcely  a  word  was  spoken.  On  the 
night  of  the  fourteenth  they  encamped  on  the  bank 
of  a  crystal  stream.  It  was  a  lovely  evening,  serene 
and  mild.  But  the  company  seemed  very  forlorn 


240  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

from  hunger.  Colonel  Fremont  therefore  consented 
that  a  fat  young  horse,  which  he  had  purchased  of 
the  Indians,  should  be  killed  for  food.  As  the  com 
pany  gathered  around  their  brilliant  camp-fires, 
feasted  on  the  savory  horse  steak,  the  customary 
good-humor  and  gayety  were  restored. 

The  next  day,  as  they  were  still  ascending  the 
valley,  they  came  upon  two  families  of  Snake  Indians, 
who  were  gathering  herbs  and  roots.  The  berries 
they  were  drying  on  buffalo  robes.  These  two 
families  had  twelve  or  fifteen  horses  grazing  around 
their  encampment.  Soon  after  this  they  encountered 
a  solitary  Indian, who  had  an  antelope  which  he  had 
killed.  They  purchased  the  antelope  and  encamped 
early  to  enjoy  the  rich  feast.  While  they  were 
protracting  the  pleasures  of  their  repast,  a  messenger 
came  galloping  into  their  camp  saying  that  Mr.  Fitz- 
patrick  was  within  a  few  miles  of  them,  with  an 
ample  supply  of  provisions.  They  could  scarcely 
sleep  that  night  for  joy.  The  next  morning  before 
sunrise  they  were  on  the  move  and  soon  rejoined 
their  friends.  Together  they  continued  their  journey 
to  the  northward,  encountering  several  lodges  of 
Snake  Indians ;  of  whom  they  purchased  about  a 
bushel  of  dried  berries. 

Leaving  the  valley  of  the  Bear  river  they  crossed 
over  to  Snake  river,  or  as  it  is  sometimes  called, 


MARCHES  AND   BATTLES.  24! 

Lewis's  Fork  of  the  Columbia  river.  On  their  way 
they  met  an  Indian  family  on  horseback,  who  had 
been  gathering  what  are  called  service  berries.  At 
night  fires  were  seen  burning  all  along  the  mountain 
sides,  indicating  numerous  encampments  of  the 
Indians.  But  they  were  all  friendly,  and  the  weary 
voyagers  slept  with  a  very  happy  and  grateful  sense 
of  security.  On  the  eighteenth  they  entered  the 
spacious  valley  of  the  Snake  river,  near  its  upper 
waters.  The  next  morning  the  snow  began  to  fall 
and  it  continued  snowing  all  day. 

They  were  now  very  near  Fort  Hall.  They 
therefore  encamped,  and  Colonel  Fremont  rode  up 
to  the  fort  and  purchased  several  horses,  and  five  fat 
oxen.  The  arrival  of  the  oxen,  giving  promise  of 
such  good  cheer,  was  received  with  shouts  of  joy. 
Though  night  came  down  upon  the  wanderers,  cold 
and  stormy,  rousing  fires  and  smoking  steaks  made 
all  happy. 

For  several  days  the  party  remained  in  their 
encampment.  They  had  journeyed  from  the  frontier 
of  Missouri,  thirteen  hundred  and  twenty-three 
miles.  Though  winter  had  come  on  thus  early,  and 
both  game  and  forage  were  known  to  be  scarce  along 
the  route  they  were  about  to  travel,  Colonel  Fre 
mont  decided  to  continue  his  explorations,  regardless 
of  ice  and  cold.  He  thought  it,  however,  expedient 


242  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

to  diminish  the  number  of  his  party.  Accordingly 
he  assembled  the  men,  informed  them  of  his  inten 
tion,  and  of  the  great  hardships  to  which  they  would 
doubtless  be  exposed.  Thus  he  persuaded  eleven 
men  to  withdraw  from  the  expedition,  and  return  to 
the  States. 

With  the  lessened  party,  about  twenty  in  number, 
Colonel  Fremont  recommenced  his  journey,  on  the 
twenty-second  of  September,  down  the  valley  of  the 
river  towards  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia.  We  have 
not  space  here  to  record  the  many  interesting  events 
of  this  journey.  The  Colonel  bears  constant  and 
affectionate  testimony  to  the  services  rendered  by 
Kit  Carson.  After  travelling  six  or  seven  hundred 
miles,  they  reached  Fort  Dalles,  then  passing  directly 
south,  through  the  very  heart  of  the  Oregon  terri 
tory,  they  made  a  thorough  exploration  of  Klamath 
Lake,  to  its  extreme  southern  border. 

Thence  they  started  for  California.  It  was  neces 
sary  to  cross  a  ridge  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  mountains. 
The  snow  was  six  feet  deep  on  a  level.  The  toils 
and  sufferings  of  the  men  were  dreadful.  There  was 
neither  game  nor  forage  to  be  found.  Many  of  the 
mules  died  of  starvation.  One  incident,  which 
occurred  during  this  dreadful  march,  we  give  in  the 
words  of  Colonel  Fremont.  Under  date  of  February 
23d  he  writes : 


MARCHES   AND   BATTLES.  243 

"  This  was  our  most  difficult  day.  We  were  forced 
off  the  ridges,  by  the  quantity  of  snow  among  the 
timber,  and  obliged  to  take  to  the  mountain  sides, 
where  occasionally  rocks  and  a  southern  exposure 
afforded  us  a  chance  to  scramble  along.  But  these 
were  steep,  and  slippery  with  snow  and  ice,  and  the 
tough  evergreens  of  the  mountain  impeded  our  way, 
tore  our  skins,  and  exhausted  our  patience.  Some 
of  us  had  the  misfortune  to  wear  moccasins,  with 
soles  of  buffalo  hide,  so  slippery  that  we  could  not 
keep  our  feet,  and  generally  we  crawled  along  the 
snow  beds.  Axes  and  mauls  were  necessary  to  make 
a  road  through  the  snow. 

"  Going  ahead  with  Carson,  to  reconnoitre  the 
road,  we  reached,  this  afternoon,  the  river  which 
made  the  outlet  of  the  lake.  Carson  sprang  over, 
clear  across  a  place  where  the  stream  was  compressed 
among  the  rocks.  But  the  sole  of  my  moccasin 
glanced  from  the  icy  rock,  and  precipitated  me  into 
the  river.  It  was  some  few  seconds  before  I  could 
recover  myself  in  the  current,  and  Carson  thinking 
me  hurt,  jumped  in  after  me,  and  we  both  had  an 
icy  bath.  We  tried  to  search  a  while  for  my  gun, 
which  had  been  lost  in  the  fall,  but  the  cold  drove 
us  out.  Making  a  large  fire  on  the  bank,  after  we 
had  partially  dried  ourselves,  we  went  back  to  meet 
the  camp.  We  afterwards  found  that  the  gun  had 


244  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

been  slung  under  the  ice  which  lined  the  shores  of 
the  creek." 

Upon  reaching  the  southern  declivity  of  the 
mountains,  Fremont  and  Carson,  with  six  others, 
pushed  ahead  to  Fort  Sutter  where,  it  will  be  re 
membered,  the  gold  of  California  was  first  discovered. 
The  whole  party  reached  the  fort  on  the  sixth  of 
March,  1844.  These  extraordinary  men,  in  the 
depths  of  winter,  had  travelled  from  Fort  Hall  about 
two  thousand  miles.  They  remained  at  the  Fort  re 
cruiting  but  a  fortnight.  A  braver  enterprise  history 
does  not  record.  Its  successful  accomplishment  sent 
the  name  of  John  C.  Fremont,  its  leader,  on  the 
wings  of  fame,  throughout  the  civilized  world.  We 
have  no  space  to  record  the  vastly  important  results 
accomplished  by  this  exploration. 

Upon  leaving  the  fort,  on  their  return  towards  the 
States,  they  met  a  Mexican  and  a  little  boy,  who 
were  in  great  destitution  and  grief.  They  had  been 
left  with  a  band  of  six,  among  whom  were  the  boy's 
father  and  mother,  to  watch  their  animals  grazing  in 
a  fertile  meadow.  They  were  suddenly  attacked  by 
a  party  of  thirty  Indians,  who  either  captured  or  kill 
ed  all  of  the  party  except  the  man  and  the  boy,  who 
fortunately  escaped.  The  Indians  fled  with  their 
booty.  The  poor  boy  was  overwhelmed  with  grief. 


MARCHES  AND  BATTLES.          245 

He  had  every  reason  to  fear  that  both  of  his  parents 
were  dead. 

Kit  Carson's  heart  was  touched.  He  proposed  to 
Richard  Godoy,  an  experienced  and  noble-hearted 
mountaineer,  that  they  two  should  pursue  the  thirty 
Indian  warriors,  rescue  the  captives,  and  regain  the 
animals.  They  soon  struck  the  Indian  trail  and  fol 
lowed  it  nearly  all  the  night.  The  Indians,  not  ap 
prehensive  of  pursuit,  were  travelling  leisurely.  To 
wards  morning,  Carson  and  his  companion  halted  for 
an  hour  or  two,  to  allow  their  horses  to  graze  and 
to  get  a  little  sleep.  At  daybreak  they  were  again 
in  the  saddle,  and  just  at  sunrise  discovered  the  In 
dians  in  a  snug  little  valley,  feasting  luxuriously  up 
on  horse-steaks.  They  had  already,  killed  five  of  the 
stolen  animals. 

These  two  men  immediately  charged,  with  a  loud 
shout,  upon  the  thirty  warriors.  The  savages  were 
taken  utterly  by  surprise,  and  thrown  into  a  panic. 
Carson's  practiced  eye  selected  the  chief,  who  in 
stantly  fell  pierced  through  the  heart  by  a  bullet 
from  Carson's  rifle.  Godoy  missed  his  aim,  but  in 
stantly  reloading,  another  warrior  dropped  in  his 
blood.  The  Indians,  not  doubting  that  the  two  were 
but  the  advance  party  of  a  strong  force,  fled  with 
precipitation,  abandoning  everything.  Deliberately 
Carson  collected  the  horses,  counted  them  and  found 


246  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

that  they  had  them  all,  excepting  the  five  the  thieves 
had  killed. 

They  then  followed  the  trail  back  to  the  spot 
where  the  savages  had  attacked  the  Mexicans.  The 
captives  had  all  been  killed  and  their  bodies  had 
been  shockingly  mangled.  Carson  and  his  heroic 
companion,  with  fifteen  horses,  rejoined  the  camp. 
The  property  was  at  once  restored  to  the  Mexicans 
without  any  remuneration  whatever  being  received 
by  either  of  these  men  for  their  exploit.  They  had 
been  absent  from  the  camp  thirty  hours,  and  had 
ridden  over  a  hundred  miles. 

The  march  was  now  resumed  and,  after  a  tedious 
journey  of  many  leagues,  they  reached  Fort  Bent  on 
the  second  of  July,  where  the  exploring  party  was 
disbanded.  Colonel  Fremont  proceeded  to  Wash 
ington.  Kit  Carson  returned  to  Taos.  Thinking 
that  he  had  had  enough  of  wandering,  he  decided  to 
become  a  farmer,  that  he  might  reside  at  home  with 
his  family.  He  purchased  quite  a  large  tract  of  land 
a  little  out  from  the  straggling  village  of  Taos,  and 
commenced  farming  upon  a  pretty  large  scale. 

As  he  was  very  busy  erecting  his  buildings  and 
breaking  up  the  soil,  an  express  arrived  from  Colo 
nel  Fremont,  stating  that  he  was  about  to  set  out  on  a 
third  exploring  tour  and  that  he  should  depend  upon 
Mr.  Carson's  accompanying  him.  He  also  reminded 


MARCHES  AND   BATTLES.  247 

him  of  a  promise  once  given  that  he  would  be  ever 
ready  to  heed  such  a  call. 

Mr.  Carson  had  made  large  investments  in  build 
ings,  stock,  farming  utensils,  etc.  With  Mr.  Owens, 
who  had  been  his  companion  on  a  former  trip,  Mr. 
Carson  set  out  for  Fort  Bent,  where  he  met  with  a 
very  cordial  welcome  from  Colonel  Fremont.  We 
cannot  follow  the  party,  in  its  long  and  adventurous 
wanderings,  along  the  ravines,  across  the  prairies, 
and  over  the  mountains,  until  they  reached  the 
lower  extremity  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake.  Before 
them  towards  the  west  spread  out  a  vast  desert,  of 
unknown  extent.  No  white  man  had  ever  crossed 
it.  Colonel  Fremont  decided  that  it  was  his  duty  to 
explore  it.  His  men  were  always  ready  to  follow 
their  bold  chieftain. 

Kit  Carson  and  three  others  were  sent  forward 
to  mark  out  the  road  by  their  trail.  Should  they 
find  grass  and  water,  they  were  to  build  a  fire,  the 
smoke  of  which  would  convey  the  joyful  intelligence 
to  Colonel  Fremont,  who  was  watching,  spy-glass  in 
hand,  from  a  neighboring  eminence.  For  sixty  miles 
they  travelled  without  finding  a  drop  of  water,  or  a 
blade  of  grass.  Then  suddenly  they  came  upon 
both  in  abundance ;  an  oasis  in  the  desert. 

Carson  built  a  rousing  fire,  piling  on  the  green 
wood  to  make  as  much  smoke  as  possible.  Notwith- 


248 


CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 


standing  the  great  distance,  the  glass  of  Fremont 
discerned  the  billowy  signal,  ascending  through  the 
serene  skies.  His  party  was  at  once  put  in  motion, 
and  after  a  weary  march  reached  their  companions. 
They  thence  pressed  on  to  Sutter's  Fort,  where 
they  could  only  obtain  moderate  supplies.  On  the 
trip  they  had  divided  into  two  parties  and  one  of 
them  had  wandered  and  got  lost.  Mr.  Carson  was 
sent  to  hunt  them  up.  With  his  usual  skill  and 
promptitude,  he  accomplished  his  mission,  and 
brought  the  lost  party  safely  to  the  fort.  They  then 
directed  their  course  to  Monterey,  on  the  sea  coast, 
where  they  could  obtain  all  they  needed.  When 
within  thirty  miles  of  the  place,  an  express  arrived 
from  General  Castro,  the  Mexican  commander  of  the 
territory,  ordering  Colonel  Fremont  and  his  party 
to  leave  the  country  or  he  would  compel  them  to 
do  so. 

Instead  of  obeying  this  order,  Colonel  Fremont, 
with  but  forty  men  under  his  command,  immediately 
selected  a  good  military  position,  and  prepared  for  a 
defence.  General  Castro  soon  appeared  with  several 
hundred  troops,  infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery,  and 
established  himself  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of 
the  Fremont  camp.  The  two  parties  watched  each 
other  for  three  days.  Colonel  Fremont  then,  satisfied 
that  the  Mexicans  would  not  assume  the  .offensive, 


MARCHES  AND   BATTLES.  249 

and  that  it  would  be  rash  to  attempt  to  force  his  way 
against  so  powerful  a  foe,  turned  his  steps  north  to 
the  Sacramento  river,  and  thence  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Columbia. 

•  On  the  route  they  met  a  thousand  Indian  war 
riors.  They  were  armed  only  with  arrows  and  jave 
lins.  A  fierce  battle  ensued.  The  Indians  were  re 
pelled  with  heavy  loss.  Mr.  Carson  thinks  that  in 
that  conflict,  they  became  convinced  that  with  their 
weapons,  they  could  never  hope  to  vanquish  the 
rifle-armed  white  men.  Upon  this  trip  they  also 
learned  that  war  had  broken  out  between  the  United 
States  and  Mexico.  The  express  which  brought 
this  intelligence  informed  Fremont  that  a  United 
States  officer  was  in  the  rear,  with  a  few  men  in 
imminent  peril. 

Colonel  Fremont  took  Carson  and  ten  other 
picked  men,  and  hastened  to  the  rescue.  Mr.  Car 
son  himself  gives  the  following  account  of  a  tragic 
scene  which  soon  took  place.  The  narrative  was 
given  in  a  letter  published  in  the  Washington  Union 
of  June,  1847: 

"  Mr.  Gillespie  had  brought  the  Colonel  letters 
from  home  and  he  was  up,  and  kept  a  large  fire 
burning  until  after  midnight.  This  was  the  only 
night,  in  all  our  travels,  except  the  one  night  on  the 
island  in  Salt  Lake,  that  we  failed  to  keep  guard. 


250 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


As  the  men  were  so  tired  and  we  expected  no  at 
tack  now  that  we  had  sixty  in  the  party,  the  Colonel 
did  not  like  to  ask  it  of  them,  but  sat  up  late  himself. 
Owens  and  I  were  sleeping  together,  and  we  were 
waked  at  the  same  time  by  the  licks  of  the  axe  that 
killed  our  men.  At  first  I  did  not  know  it  was  that, 
but  I  called  to  Basil  who  was  on  that  side  : 

"  What's  the  matter  there  ?  What's  that  fuss 
about  ?  " 

"  He  never  answered  for  he  was  dead  then,  poor 
fellow,  and  he  never  knew  what  killed  him.  His  head 
had  been  cut  in,  in  his  sleep.  The  Delawares,  we 
had  four  with  us,  were  sleeping  at  that  fire,  and  they 
sprang  up  as  the  Klamaths  charged  them.  One  of 
them  caught  up  a  gun  which  was  unloaded,  but 
although  he  could  do  no  execution  he  kept  them  at 
bay  like  a  soldier,  and  did  not  give  up  till  he  was 
shot  full  of  arrows,  three  entering  his  heart. 

"  As  soon  as  I  had  called  out  I  saw  it  was  Indians 
in  the  camp,  and  I  and  Owens  cried  out  together, 
'  Indians.'  There  were  no  orders  given,  things  went 
on  too  fast,  and  the  Colonel  had  men  with  him  that 
did  not  need  to  be  told  their  duty.  The  Colonel  and 
I,  Maxwell,  Owens,  Godey  and  Stepp  jumped 
together  and  went  to  the  assistance  of  our  Dela 
wares. 

"  I  dont  know  who  fired  first  and  who  didn't ;  but 


MARCHES  AND   BATTLES.  251 

I  think  it  was  Stepp's  shot  that  killed  the  Klamath 
chief;  for  it  was  at  the  crack  of  Stepp's  gun  that  he 
fell.  He  had  an  English  half-axe  slung  to  his  wrist 
by  a  cord,  and  there  were  forty  arrows  left  in  his 
quiver;  the  most  beautiful  and  warlike  arrows  I  ever 
saw.  He  must  have  been  the  bravest  man  among 
them,  from  the  way  he  was  armed,  and  judging  from 
his  cap. 

"  When  the  Klamaths  saw  him  fall,  they  ran  ;  but 
we  lay,  every  man  with  his  rifle  cocked,  until 
daylight,  expecting  another  attack.  In  the  morning 
we  found,  by  the  tracks,  that  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
of  the  Klamaths  had  attacked  us.  They  had  killed 
three  of  our  men  and  wounded  one  of  the  Delawares, 
who  scalped  the  chief,  whom  they  left  where  he  fell. 

"  Our  dead  men  we  carried  on  mules  ;  but  after 
going  about  ten  miles  we  found  it  impossible  to  get 
them  any  farther  through  the  thick  timber.  And 
finding  a  secret  place  we  buried  them  under  logs  and 
chunks,  having  no  way  to  dig  a  grave.  It  was  only 
a  few  days  before  this,  that  some  of  these  same 
Indians  had  come  into  our  camp  ;  and  although  we 
had  only  meat  for  two  days  and  felt  sure  that  we 
should  have  to  eat  mules  for  ten  or  fifteen  days  to 
come,  the  Colonel  divided  with  them,  and  even  had 
a  mule  unpacked  to  give  them  some  tobacco  and 
knives.'' 


252 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


In  consequence  of  the  war  declared  between  the 
United  States  and  Mexico,  Colonel  Fremont  thought 
it  expedient  to  return  to  California.  He  judged  it, 
however,  to  be  necessary  first,  as  a  lesson  to  the 
savages,  to  punish  them  severely  for  their  wanton 
murder  of  his  men.  Kit  Carson,  at  the  head  of  ten 
chosen  mountaineers,  was  sent  forward  in  search  of 
their  strongholds.  If  he  discovered  them  without 
being  seen  himself  he  was  to  return  for  reinforce 
ments.  If  seen  he  was  to  act  as  he  thought  best. 

He  soon  discovered  an  Indian  trail,  and  followed 
it  to  an  Indian  encampment  of  fifty  lodges,  contain 
ing  one  hundred  and  fifty  warriors.  The  agitation  in 
the  camp  evidenced  that  the  Indians  had  obtained 
warning  of  danger.  Carson  decided  to  attack  them 
instantly,  in  the  midst  of  their  confusion.  The 
Indians  for  a  moment  made  a  bold  stand.  But  as 
bullet  after  bullet  pierced  them,  from  the  invisible 
missiles  of  their  foe,  whom  they  could  not  reach  with 
arrows,  they  turned  in  a  panic  and  fled.  Mr.  Carson, 
wishing  to  inflict  chastisement  which  would  not  soon 
be  forgotten,  ordered  all  their  valuables  to  be  col 
lected  in  their  lodges  and  then  applied  the  torch. 
The  flames  leaped  high  in  the  air  and  in  an  hour 
nothing  remained  of  the  Indian  village,  but  glowing 
embers  and  the  bodies  of  their  dead  warriors. 

Colonel  Fremont  saw  the  smoke  of  the  conflagra- 


MARCHES  AND   BATTLES.  253 

tion  and  understood  its  significance.  He  hastened 
forward  and  joined  Carson.  But  it  was  thought  that 
the  Indians  had  not  yet  received  the  punishment 
which  their  crime  deserved.  The  whole  party  then 
moved  on  together  for  several  miles,  to  a  secluded 
encampment. 

Mr.  Carson  said  that  the  warriors  would  certainly 
return  to  view  the  ruins  of  their  village  and  to  bury 
their  dead.  Twenty  men  were  consequently  sent 
back  to  lie  in  ambush.  At  midnight  fifty  savages 
were  seen  in  the  bright  moonlight,  approaching  their 
ruined  homes.  Some  alarm  caused  them  precipi 
tately  to  retreat.  Carson  was  a  little  in  advance 
with  Colonel  Fremont.  He  saw  one  solitary  warrior 
separate  from  the  rest.  Spurring  upon  the  savage 
at  the  distance  of  not  ten  paces  he  endeavored  to 
shoot  him,  when  his  gun  missed  fire.  He  was  now 
apparently  at  the  mercy  of  the  Indian,  who  had 
already  with  sinewy  arm,  drawn  an  arrow  to  the 
feather  to  pierce  the  body  of  his  foe. 

Fremont  was  mounted  on  a  very  powerful  and 
spirited  charger.  He  plunged  the  rowels  of  his 
spurs  into  the  animal,  when  the  noble  horse  made 
one  or  two  frantic  leaps,  knocked  down  the  Indian 
and  trampled  over  him.  The  arrow  of  the  savage 
flew  wide  of  its  mark.  The  next  moment  a  rifle  ball 
pierced  his  heart,  and  he  lay  quivering  in  death. 


254 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


The  party  now  pressed  on  to  the  Sacramento 
river.  The  Klamath  warriors  dogged  their  path, 
watching  for  an  opportunity  to  take  them  at  advan 
tage.  One  day  Carson  and  Godey,  who  were  a  lit 
tle  separated  from  the  rest  of  the  company,  came 
quite  unexpectedly  upon  a  band  of  these  warriors 
and  instantly  charged  upon  them.  One  Indian  only 
was  too  proud  to  fly.  He  took  his  position  behind 
a  rock  and  as  soon  as  the  two  white  men  came  with 
in  shooting  distance,  he  let  fly  his  arrows  with  great 
force  and  rapidity. 

After  dodging  these  arrows  for  some  time,  Carson 
mounted  and  crept  through  concealment,  till  he  ob 
tained  good  aim  at  the  savage.  There  was  a  sharp 
report  of  the  rifle,  and  the  Indian  was  dead.  Carson 
took  from  him  a  beautifully  wrought  bow  and  a 
quiver  still  containing  a  number  of  arrows.  But  the 
savages  still  continued  to  hover  around  their  trail 
without  venturing  upon  any  attack. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

The  Dispatch  Bearer. 

Colonel  Fremont. — Hazardous  Undertaking  of  Kit  Carson. — Carson's 
Courage  and  Prudence. — Threatened  Danger. — Interview  with 
General  Kearney,  and  Results. — Severe  Skirmish. — Wonderful 
Escape  of  Carson. — Daring  Adventure. — Fearful  'Suffering. — 
Lieutenant  Beale. — Carson's  Journey  to  Washington. — Adven 
tures  on  his  Return. 

OUR  explorers  now  pressed  on  for  twenty-four 
hours  without  encountering  any  molestation,  though 
they  saw  many  indications  that  the  Indians  were 
hovering  about  their  track.  Hungry  and  weary, 
they  reached  Fort  Lawson,  on  the  Sacramento  river, 
where  they  tarried  for  a  week  to  recruit.  They  then 
followed  down  the  river  some  distance,  to  the  well- 
known  camping-grounds,  "  The  Buttes." 

War  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico  was 
in  active  operation.  Colonel  Fremont  took  the  re 
sponsibility  of  capturing  a  weak  Mexican  post  near 
by,  at  Sonoma,  where  he  obtained  several  cannon  and 
some  small  arms.  His  explorers  being  thus  virtually 
resolved  into  an  army,  he  marched,  with  Kit  Carson 
as  nominal  Lieutenant,  for  the  capture  of  Monterey. 


256 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


Before  he  reached  there,  the  city  was  taken  by  an 
American  squadron  under  Commodore  Sloat.  Colo 
nel  Fremont  obtained  a  ship  to  convey  him,  with 
his  fast  friend  Kit  Carson,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty 
bold  mountaineers,  who  had  attached  themselves  to 
his  fortunes,  a  few  hundred  miles  down  the  coast,  to 
San  Diego.  Thence  he  marched  upon  Los  Angelos. 

It  was  becoming  important  to  have  some  com 
munication  with  Washington.  To  send  dispatches 
around  by  the  cape,  required  a  voyage  of  weary 
months.  To  reach  the  capital  by  land,  it  was  neces 
sary  to  traverse  an  almost  pathless  wilderness  four 
thousand  miles  in  extent.  Whoever  should  under 
take  such  an  enterprise,  must  not  only  live  upon  such 
food  as  he  could  pick  up  by  the  way,  but  also  be  ex 
posed  to  attack  from  innumerable  bands  of  hostile 
savages,  urged  on  by  still  more  hostile  Mexicans. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  September,  1846,  Kit  Carson 
undertook  this  hazardous  enterprise.  He  was  placed 
in  command  of  fifteen  picked  men.  The  utmost  vigi 
lance  was  necessary  every  step  of  the  way.  He  was 
instructed  to  make  the  journey  in  sixty  days.  For 
two  days,  he  pressed  on  his  way  without  molestation. 
The  third  day,  he  came  suddenly  in  view  of  a  large 
encampment  of  Apache  Indians.  Each  party  discov 
ered  the  other  at  the  same  moment.  There  was  in 
stantly  great  commotion  in  the  Indian  camp ;  the 


THE   DISPATCH    BEARER. 

warriors  running  to  and  fro  in  preparation  for  a 
fight. 

Mr.  Carson,  acquainted  with  their  language,  and 
also  familiar  with  all  their  customs,  saw  at  once  that 
his  only  safety  consisted  in  reckless  courage.  He 
halted  his  little  band,  and  assuming  an  air  of  entire 
unconcern,  rode  forward  till  he  came  within  speaking 
distance,  and  of  course  within  arrow  distance  of  hun 
dreds  of  plumed  and  painted  warriors.  He  was  en 
tirely  at  their  mercy.  They  might  instantly  pierce 
him,  and  almost  bury  him  beneath  a  shower  of  ar 
rows.  The  chief  of  the  white  men  being  thus  killed, 
the  rest  of  the  party  would  fall  easily  a  prey  to  their 
overpowering  numbers.  Carson  shouted  out  to 
them :  - 

"  I  come  to  you  as  a  friend,  and  I  ask  for  a 
parley." 

Two  or  three  warriors  then  came  forward  and 
with  the  usual  preliminaries,  held  a  brief  conference. 
They  could  without  any  difficulty  have  seized  upon 
Carson  and  held  him  as  a  hostage.  But  he  knew 
that  his  only  possible  safety  was  in  this  apparent  act 
of  desperation.  Having  smoked  the  pipe  of  peace, 
he  said  to  them  : 

"  We  come  to  you  as  friendly  travellers,  seeking 
only  a  passage  through  your  country.  We  come  to 
you  as  brothers,  presenting  the  olive  branch  of  peace. 


258 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


We  do  not  wish  to  harm  you.  We  ask  only  for  your 
friendship.  Our  animals  are  weary.  We  would  ex 
change  them  for  those  that  are  fresh.  We  will  pay 
you  well  for  the  exchange/' 

If  that  be  eloquence  which  moves  the  heart,  this 
was  eloquence.     It  changed  the  hearts  of  the  Indians. 
Friendly  demonstrations  immediately  took  the  place 
of  preparations  for  a  bloody  fight.     Carson  pitched 
his   camp   at  a   short   distance    from    the  Apaches. 
His  prudence,  as  well  as  his  courage,  was  developed. 
He   selected  a  site  where  in  case   of  treachery,  he 
could  make  a  vigorous  defence.     Every  man  had  rifle, 
revolver,   and    knife.     Every    man   was    instructed, 
while  assuming  an  air  of  entire  trust  in   the  Indians, 
to  be  constantly  on  the  watch.     There  was  to  be  no 
surrender.     In  case  of  attack,  every  man  was  to  sell 
his  life  as  dearly  as  possible.     The  calm,  self-possessed, 
invincible  spirit  of  this  wonderful  man  was  infused 
into  all  his  followers.     Fifteen  such  men  with  rifles, 
revolvers,  and   knives,  would    make    terrible    havoc 
among  a  crowd  of  Indian  warriors,  before  they  could 
all  be  cold  in  death. 

As  soon  as  the  camp  was  arranged,  the  Indians 
were  allowed  to  come  in.  They  smoked  and  feasted, 
and  traded  together,  in  the  most  friendly  manner. 
Carson  remounted  all  his  men  on  fresh  and  vigorous 


THE   DISPATCH   BEARER.  259 

steeds.     The  next    morning   he   went   on   his   way 
rejoicing. 

Nearly  a  month  passed  away,  as  this  heroic  little 
band,  with  tireless  diligence,  pressed  along  their  path 
less  route  towards  the  rising  sun.  With  the  utmost 
caution,  Mr.  Carson  avoided  the  Indian  trails,  mak 
ing  a  path  for  himself.  He  would  often  make  a  wide 
circuit,  that  he  might  not  cross  hunting  grounds 
where  his  experience  taught  him  that  Indian  hunt 
ing  bands  would  probably  be  encountered. 

It  was  a  bright  and  beautiful  morning,  the  sixth 
of  October,  that  they  entered  upon  the  western  edge 
of  a  smooth,  treeless  prairie  extending  to  the  east  as 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  Soon  after  the  morning 
sun  began  to  flood  that  ocean  of  waving  flowers  with 
its  rays,  the  keen  eye  of  Carson  discerned  in  the  ex 
treme  east,  a  small  speck,  like  the  sail  of  a  ship  at 
sea.  He  watched  it,  it  moved.  Slowly  it  increased 
in  size.  It  soon  developed  itself  into  the  front  of  a 
numerous  band  of  warriors.  His  anxiety  was  great. 
It  was  not  wise  to  attempt  flight  over  the  boundless 
prairie. 

As  the  column  drew  nearer,  he  discovered  to  his 
great  joy  that  it  was  a  detachment  of  United  States 
troops.  The  expedition  had  been  sent  out  by  the 
government,  to  operate  under  General  Kearney,  in 
California.  As  the  two  parties  met,  General  Kear- 


26o 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


ney  sent  for  Mr.  Carson,  and  after  a  little  conversa 
tion  with  him,  decided  to  entrust  his  dispatches  to 
Mr.  Fitzpatrick,  to  convey  them  to  Washington, 
while  he  should  attach  Mr.  Carson  to  his  staff  as  a 
guide,  of  which  he  stood  greatly  in  need.  Upon  in 
forming  Mr.  Carson  of  this  his  decision,  the  modest 
reply  of  the  pioneer  was,  "  As  the  General  thinks 
best." 

Mr.  Carson  now  was  invested  with  the  responsi 
ble  office  of  guiding  the  footsteps  of  this  army  over 
these  almost  boundless  plains.  This  duty  he  so  per 
formed  as  to  receive  the  highest  commendation  of 
General  Kearney.  And  his  dignified  character  was 
such  as  to  win  the  confidence  and  respect  of  every 
man  in  the  army.  The  worst  of  men  can  often  ap 
preciate  high  moral  excellence. 

Early  in  December  the  army  had  reached  Califor 
nia,  and  were  approaching  San  Diego.  On  the 
sixth,  the  scouts  brought  the  news  that  a  numerous 
party  of  Mexicans  were  strongly  intrenched  a  few 
miles  before  them,  to  dispute  their  passage.  Fifteen 
men  were  sent  forward  as  an  advanced  guard,  under 
the  guidance  of  Kit  Carson,  to  drive  in  the  outposts, 
and  capture  any  loose  animals  which  might  be  found. 
A  very  fierce  battle  ensued.  These  Californian  Mex 
icans  developed  a  degree  of  bravery  and  determine 


THE   DISPATCH   BEARER.  26l 

tion  totally  unexpected,  and  which  could  not  have 
been  exceeded. 

Quite  a  number  of  troops  had  come  up  to  assist 
in  carrying  an  important  post.  In  addition  to  the 
fifteen  men  with  Carson,  there  were  two  companies 
of  United  States  dragoons,  and  twenty-five  California 
volunteers.  These  determined  men,  all  well  mount 
ed,  formed  a  very  imposing  column  for  the  charge. 
Mr.  Carson  was  in  the  front  rank  of  the  column. 
As  the  horses  were  plunging  forward  upon  the  foe, 
Mr.  Carson's  horse,  from  some  inequality  in  the 
ground,  fell,  throwing  his  rider  over  his  head  with 
such  violence  as  to  break  his  gun-stock  in  several 
pieces.  Carson  was  slightly  stunned  by  the  fall,  and 
the  whole  troop  of  horse  galloped  over  him.  It 
seems  a  miracle  that  he  was  not  trampled  to  death. 
Though  severely  bruised,  no  bones  were  broken. 

Upon  recovering,  and  finding  his  own  gun  use 
less,  he  looked  around  and  saw  a  dead  dragoon. 
Seizing  his  gun,  he  rushed  forward  into  the  thickest 
of  the  fight.  It  is  probable  that  the  fall  of  his  horse 
saved  his  life.  Nearly  the  whole  of  the  head  of  the 
charging  column  was  cut  off  by  the  bullets  of  the  foe. 
The  Mexicans  were  soon  driven  from  their  post,  and 
fled  on  swift  horses.  But  the  Americans  suffered 
terribly.  Large  numbers  were  killed. 

The   Mexicans  soon  rallied  with  reinforcements 


262 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


and  resumed  the  battle.  The  advanced  guard  of  the 
Americans  was  driven  back  and  compelled  to  act  up 
on  the  defensive.  We  have  not  space  here  to  give, 
in  detail,  the  victories  and  defeats  of  these  fierce 
conflicts.  Most  of  these  California  Mexicans  were 
of  the  bravest  blood  of  Spain.  And  they  fought  as 
if  determined  to  perpetuate  their  ancestral  renown. 

When  near  San  Diego,  Kearney's  force  was  sur 
rounded  by  three  or  four  times  its  number,  and 
were  starving.  The  men  were  feeding  upon  the 
mules.  Even  that  resource  seemed  almost  exhaust 
ed.  The  utter  ruin  of  the  army  seemed  inevitable. 
A  council  of  war  was  held.  Carson  was  present. 
He  was  a  man  of  few  words.  When  he  spoke,  all 
listened.  In  his  soft,  feminine  voice  he  said  : 

"  I  think  I  may  be  able  to  creep  in  the  night, 
through  the  Mexican  lines.  I  can  hasten  then  to  San 
Diego,  and  inform  Commodore  Stockton  of  our  peril. 
He  will  hasten  to  the  rescue.  I  am  willing  to  try." 

Immediately  Lieutenant  Beale,  of  the  United 
States  Navy,  one  of  the  most  heroic  of  men,  added, 
"  I  will  go  with  him."  General  Kearney  accepted 
the  noble  offer.  In  its  desperation  was  his  only 
hope. 

The  camp  was  encircled  by  three  concentric  rows 
of  sentinels.  They  were  mounted,  and  rode  inces 
santly  to  and  fro,  through  their  short  patrols.  Night 


THE   DISPATCH   BEARER.  263 

came.  It  was  dark.  Carson  and  Beale  crept  out 
from  the  camp,  on  their  hands  and  feet,  feeling  for 
the  tall  grass,  the  slight  depressions  in  the  ground, 
the  shade  of  the  thickets.  They  had  shoes  instead 
of  moccasins.  As  they  crept  along  foot  by  foot  in 
breathless  silence,  the  stiff  soles  of  the  shoes  would 
sometimes  hit  a  stone  or  a  stick,  and  make  a  slight 
noise.  They  drew  off  their  shoes  and  pushed  them 
under  their  belts.  Occasionally  they  were  within  a 
few  feet  of  the  sentinels,  whom  they  could  dimly  dis 
cern. 

They  had  passed  the  first  line  of  sentinels,  and 
the  second,  and  were  just  beginning  to  breathe  a 
little  more  freely  when  a  sentinel  rode  up  to  within  a 
few  feet  of  the  spot  where  they  were  lying  still  as 
death,  and  but  slightly  concealed  in  the  tall  grass. 
By  daylight  they  would  have  been  instantly  seen. 
To  their  terror  the  sentinel  was  mounted,  and  alight 
ing  with  flint  and  steel  began  to  strike  a  light  to  in 
dulge  in  the  comfort  of  his  pipe.  The  flame  of  a  piece 
of  paper  would  reveal  them.  The  suspense  was  terrible. 
So  still  did  they  lie  and  so  intense  were  their  inward 
throbbings  that  Mr.  Carson  afterwards  affirmed  that 
he  could  actually  hear  Lieutenant  Beale's  heart 
pulsate. 

Providentially  the  Mexican  lighted  his  pipe,  and 
remounting  rode  in  the  other  direction.  For  a  dis- 


264  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

tance  of  nearly  two  miles  Carson  and  Beale  thus 
crept  along,  working  their  way  through  the  Mexican 
lines.  Having  left  the  last  sentinel  behind  them, 
they  regained  their  feet  and  felt  for  their  shoes. 
They  were  gone.  Thus  far  they  had  not  inter 
changed  even  a  whisper.  Though  the  worst  peril 
was  now  over,  they  had  still  many  dangers  to 
encounter,  and  fearful  suffering.  It  would  not  do  to 
advance  upon  San  Diego  by  any  of  the  well-trodden 
trails,  all  of  which  were  closely  watched  by  the 
enemy's  scouts.  Carson  chose  a  circuitous  route 
over  rocks  and  hills,  where  their  feet  were  dreadfully 
lacerated  by  the  prickly  pear. 

All  the  next  day,  with  feet  torn  and  bleeding, 
they  toiled  along,  feeding  upon  whatever  they  could, 
find,  which  would  in  the  slightest  degree  appease 
the  gnawings  of  hunger.  Another  night  spread  its 
gloom  around  them.  Still  onward  was  the  march 
of  our  heroes.  About  midnight,  Carson  discovered, 
from  a  slight  eminence,  the  dim  outline  of  the  houses 
in  San  Diego.  They  approached  the  American 
sentinels,  announced  themselves  as  friends,  and  were 
conducted  to  Commodore  Stockton.  He  immedi 
ately  dispatched  one  hundred  and  seventy  men  with 
a  heavy  piece  of  ordnance,  and  with  directions  to 
march  day  and  night,  for  the  relief  of  Kearney. 

The  Mexicans  hearing  of  their  approach,  knowing 


THE   DISPATCH   BEARER.  265 

that  they  would  be  attacked  both  in  front  and  rear, 
fled.  Kearney  and  his  army  were  saved.  Carson 
and  Beale  had  rescued  them. 

The  main  army  of  the  Mexicans  was  now  at  Los 
Angelos,  about  a  hundred  and  twenty  miles  north 
from  San  Diego.  They  had  a  strongly  intrenched 
camp  there  ;  garrisoned  by  about  seven  hundred 
men.  Kearney  and  Fremont  united  their  forces  to 
attack  them.  Carson  was  again  with  his  friend  Fre 
mont.  The  Mexicans  were  driven  away,  and  the 
American  army  took  up  its  winter  quarters  during 
two  or  three  cold  and  dreary  months. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1847,  Mr.  Carson  was 
directed  to  carry  important  dispatches  to  Washing 
ton.  Lieutenant  Beale,  who  never  recovered  from 
the  hardships  he  encountered  in  his  flight  to  San 
Diego,  was  permitted  to  accompany  him.  As  we 
have  mentioned,  it  was  a  journey  of  four  thousand 
miles.  It  was  accomplished  in  three  months.  In 
reference  to  this  adventure  Mr.  Carson  writes : 

"  Lieutenant  Beale  went  with  me  as  bearer  of 
dispatches,  intended  for  the  Navy  Department. 
During  the  first  twenty  days  of  our  journey  he  was 
so  weak  that  I  had  to  lift  him  on  and  off  his  riding 
animal.  I  did  not  think  for  some  time  that  he  could 
live,  but  I  bestowed  as  much  care  and  attention  on 
him  as  any  one  could  have  done,  under  the  circum- 
12 


266 


CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 


stances.  Before  the  fatiguing  and  dangerous  part 
of  our  route  was  passed  over,  he  had  so  far  recovered 
as  to  be  able  to  take  care  of  himself. 

"  For  my  attention,  which  was  only  my  duty  to 
my  friend,  I  was  doubly  repaid,  by  the  kindness 
shown  to  me  by  his  family  while  1  staid  in  Washing 
ton,  which  was  more  than  I  had  any  reason  for  ex 
pecting,  and  which  will  never  be  forgotten  by  me." 

On  this  expedition,  Kit  Carson  was  provided 
with  a  guard  of  ten  or  twelve  picked  men,  veteran 
mountaineers.  They  took  an  extremely  southern 
route.  Having  journeyed  about  four  hundred  miles 
without  meeting  any  hostile  encounter,  they  reached 
the  Gila,  a  tributary  of  the  lower  Colorado.  Here 
Mr.  Carson  had  evidence  that  a  band  of  hostile  In 
dians,  keeping  always  out  of  sight,  were  dogging  his 
path,  watching  for  an  opportunity  to  attack  him  by 
surprise.  Their  route  led  over  a  vast  prairie,  where 
there  were  no  natural  defences.  They  cooked" their 
supper  early  in  the  evening,  and  wrapped  in  their 
blankets,  threw  themselves  on  the  grass  for  sleep. 
Mr.  Carson,  aware  that  the  cunning  Indians  might 
be  watching  all  his  movements,  as  soon  as  it  was 
dark,  ordered  his  men  to  rise,  march  forward  in  the 
darkness  more  than  a  mile,  again  to  picket  their  ani 
mals,  and  then  to  arrange  their  pack-saddles  so  as  to 
protect  them  from  the  arrows  of  the  Indians.  In 


THE   DISPATCH   BEARER.  267 

case  of  an  attack  they  were  to  lie  perfectly  still,  and 
not  speak  a  word.  It  would  be  of  no  use  to  fire,  for 
no  savage  .would  be  within  sight.  If  the  Indians 
ventured  into  the  camp,  they  were  then,  with  rifle, 
and  revolver  and  knife,  to  assail  them  with  the  utmost 
desperation. 

At  midnight  the  yell  of  the  savage  was  heard, 
and  a  shower  of  arrows  fell  around.  They  had  not 
ascertained  with  accuracy  the  position  of  the  travel 
lers.  They  dared  not  approach  near  enough  to  see, 
for  in  that  case  they  could  be  seen,  and  the  bullet 
would  certainly  strike  them.  After  many  random 
shots,  and  many  unearthly  yells,  the  discomfited  sav 
ages  fled.  They  dared  not  await  the  dawn  of  the 
day,  when  upon  the  open  prairie,  their  arrows 
would  be  powerless  weapons  against  rifles.  In 
all  these  journeyings,  Mr.  Carson  was  so  cautious 
that  one  not  acquainted  with  his  well  balanced  char 
acter,  might  deem  him  wanting  in  courage.  Not  a 
tree,  a  rock,  a  bush,  or  any  other  place  where  an  Indian 
might  hide,  escaped  his  notice.  His  eye  was  ever 
scanning  the  horizon  to  see  if  there  were  any  smoke 
indicating  an  Indian's  fire,  or  any  flight  of  crows 
hovering  over  a  spot  where  Indians  had  recently  en 
camped.  The  ground  he  was  ever  watching  in 
search  of  the  pressure  of  the  horse's  unshod  foot,  or 
of  the  Indian's  moccasin. 


268  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

Colonel  Fremont  had  married  the  daughter  of 
Missouri's  illustrious  Senator,  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Ben- 
ton.  Mr.  Carson,  upon  his  arrival  at  St.  Louis,  was 
taken  immediately  to  Mr.  Benton's  home,  where  he 
was  treated  with  every  attention,  and  where  he  en 
joyed  the  pleasure  of  an  introduction  to  the  most 
distinguished  men  of  the  city.  As  in  the  continuance 
of  his  journey  he  stepped  upon  the  platform  of  the 
depot  in  Washington,  Mrs.  Fremont  was  there, with 
her  carriage,  to  convey  him  as  a  guest  to  her  resi 
dence. 

In  the  crowd  landing  from  the  cars,  Mrs.  Fre 
mont  recognized  him  at  once,  from  the  description 
which  her  husband  had  given.  Mr.  Carson  remained 
in  Washington  for  several  weeks,  greatly  interested 
in  the  entirely  new  world  which  was  open  to  him 
there.  His  reputation  had  gone  before  him,  and 
the  very  best  men  in  our  land  honored  themselves 
in  honoring  Christopher  Carson.  President  Polk  ap 
pointed  him  Lieutenant  in  the  United  States  Rifle 
Corps.  He  was  then  directed  to  return  immediately 
across  the  continent  as  bearer  of  important  dis 
patches. 

Arriving  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  in  Kansas,  he  was 
there  furnished  with  an  escort  of  fifty  soldiers  to 
accompany  him  across  the  plain.  He  reached  the 
eastern  declivity  of  the  Rocky  mountains  without 


THE   DISPATCH   BEARER.  269 

important  adventure.  Here,  at  a  place  called  Point 
of  Rocks,  he  overtook  a  party  of  United  States 
Volunteers,  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Mulony. 
They  were  escorting  a  large  train  of  wagons  to  New 
Mexico.  They  encamped  not  far  from  each  other. 
Just  before  the  break  of  day  a  band  of  Comanche 
Indians  made  an  attack  upon  the  cattle  of  Mulony's 
party,  and  got  possession  of  all  the  oxen  and  of 
twenty-six  horses. 

Mr.  Carson,  ever  on  the  alert,  heard  the  tumult, 
and  made  a  sudden  and  impetuous  charge  upon  the 
savages.  He  recovered  all  the  oxen,  but  the  horses 
were  effectually  stampeded  and  lost.  But  for  Mr. 
Carson,  the  cattle  also  would  have  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  Indians,  which  would  have  been  a  great 
calamity.  The  next  day  Mr.  Carson  resumed  his 
rapid  march  and  reached  Santa  Fe  in  safety.  Here 
he  left  his  escort  in  accordance  with  orders,  and 
hiring  sixteen  mountaineers,  he  proceeded  on  his 
journey. 

Travelling  rapidly,  he  came  to  Muddy  Creek,  a 
tributary  of  Virgin  river.  Here  he  suddenly  encoun 
tered  a  camp  of  three  hundred  Indians.  He  knew 
their  reputation  as  treacherous  in  the  extreme.  He 
threw  up  a  little  rampart,  forbidding  the  Indians  to 
draw  too  near,  and  then  held  a  parley  under  the  pro 
tection  of  his  men.  Thoroughly  acquainted  with 


2/0  CHRISTOPHER  CARSOrf. 

the  Indian  character,  he  seemed  always  to  know  the 
tone  which  it  was  best  to  assume.  Sternly  address 
ing  the  chiefs,  he  said  : 

"  I  know  your  treachery.  Your  words  of  friend 
ship  cannot  be  believed.  Not  long  ago,  you  massa 
cred  seven  Americans.  You  wish  to  gain  admission 
to  my  camp  that  you  may  kill  us  also.  I  will  now 
allow  you  till  midday  to  be  off.  If  any  of  you,  after 
that,  are  within  reach  of  our  rifles  you  will  die." 

Most  of  the  Indians  were  overawed  by  this  bold 
talk,  and  disappeared.  A  few  of  the  more  desperate 
of  the  warriors  lounged  about,  apparently  doubting 
his  words.  At  the  designated  hour  he  ordered  his 
men  to  take  good  aim  and  fire.  Though  the  Indians 
were  at  quite  a  distance,  one  of  the  warriors  fell 
instantly  dead.  Four  others  were  severely  wounded. 
Soon  not  a  savage  was  to  be  seen.  Thus  fifteen 
men  under  Carson,  vanquished  three  hundred 
Indians.  "Better/'  said  Napoleon,  "is  an  army  of 
deer  led  by  a  lion,  than  an  army  of  lions  led  by  a 
deer." 

Mr.  Carson  now  pressed  on  to  Monterey,  and 
delivered  his  dispatches  to  Colonel  Mason.  As 
acting  lieutenant  in  the  U.  S.  army  he  was  placed  at 
the  head  of  a  company  of  dragoons*  to  guard  Tajon 
Pass,  the  main  outlet  through  which  robber  Indian 
bands  conveyed  their  booty  from  California  to  the 


THE  DISPATCH   BEARER.  2?I 

plains.  After  spending  the  winter  very  successfully 
in  the  discharge  of  this  duty,  he  was  again  ordered 
to  proceed  to  Washington  with  dispatches.  Fifteen 
men  were  detailed  to  escort  him  on  the  way. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 
The  Chivalry  of  the   Wilderness. 

Injustice  of  the  Government. — Heroic  Resolve  of  Mr.  Carson. — In 
dian  Outrages. — The  valley  of  Razado. — Barbaric  Murders  by 
Apaches. — An  Exciting  Chase. — An  Attractive  Picture.  Plot  of 
Fox  Overthrown. — Gift  of  Messrs.  Brevoort  and  Weatherhead. — 
Adventure  with  the  Cheyennes. 

ON  this  second  excursion  of  Mr.  Carson  to 
Washington  as  bearer  of  dispatches,  he  learned  at 
Santa  Fe,  that  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  had 
refused  to  confirm  his  appointment  as  lieutenant.  It 
was  a  great  wrong.  Party  spirit  then  ran  high  at 
Washington.  His  friends  at  Santa  Fe  advised  him 
to  resent  the  wrong,  by  delivering  his  dispatches  to 
the  officer  in  command  there,  saying  he  could  no 
longer  serve  a  government  which  refused  to  recognize 
him.  His  heroic  reply  was: 

"  I  have  been  entrusted  with  these  dispatches.  I 
shall  try  to  fulfil  the  duty  thus  devolving  upon  me, 
if  it  cost  me  my  life.  This  is  service  for  my  coun 
try.  It  matters  little,  whether  I  perform  it  as  lieu 
tenant  in  the  army,  or  as  a  mountaineer.  I  certainly 


THE   CHIVALRY   OF   THE   WILDERNESS.        2/3 

shall  not  shrink  from  duty  because  the  Senate  does 
not  confirm  an  appointment  which  I  never  sought.'' 

In  the  then  state  of  the  country,  there  was  per 
haps  not  another  man  who  could  have  conveyed 
those  dispatches  over  the  almost  boundless  plains, 
swarming  with  hostile  Indians.  It  was  well  known 
at  Santa  Fe  that  the  Comanche  savages,  in  bands  of 
two  or  three  hundred,  were  watching  the  old  Santa 
Fe  road,  for  two  or  three  hundred  miles,  that  they 
might  murder  and  rob  all  who  fell  into  their  hands. 

Carson  resolved  to  make  a  trail  of  his  own.  He 
selected  but  ten  men.  Pushing  directly  north,  he 
reached  a  region  which  the  Comanches  seldom  visit 
ed.  Then  changing  his  route,  he  struck  the  Bijoux 
river,  and  followed  it  down  until  within  about 
twenty-five  miles  of  its  entrance  into  the  Platte. 
He  then  traversed  the  plains  to  Fort  Kearney,  and 
thence  proceeded  to  Fort  Leavenworth  without  any 
molestation.  His  men  and  animals  were  in  fine  con 
dition.  His  trail,  though  very  circuitous,  had  led  him 
through  a  country  abounding  in  game,  well  watered 
and  with  a  succession  of  rich  pastures.  Here  he  dis 
missed  his  escort,  and  proceeded  to  Washington 
alone. 

Having  delivered  his  dispatches,  he  immediately 
set  out  on  his  return,  and  reached  his  home  in  Taos 
in  October,  1848.  He  had  not  been  long  at  home, 


2/4  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

before  the  Apache  Indians  in  the  vicinity  were  com 
mitting  terrible  outrages.  Colonel  Beale,  who  was 
in  command  at  Taos,  learned  that  a  large  party  of 
the  savages  were  upon  the  upper  waters  of  the  Ar 
kansas,  with  quite  a  number  of  white  prisoners.  He 
took  two  companies  of  dragoons,  and  Kit  Carson  as 
a  guide.  Upon  reaching  the  river,  he  found  two 
hundred  Indians  who  had  met  there  in  grand  coun 
cil.  The  force  of  armed  warriors  was  so  strong,  and 
their  passions  so  aroused,  that  Col.  Beale  deemed 
it  impossible  to  liberate  "the  captives,  who  were 
Mexicans,  by  force.  He  therefore  returned  to  Taos, 
to  resort  to  the  more  peaceful  operations  of  diplo 
macy. 

There  was  at  that  time  residing  at  Taos,  an  old 
mountaineer  friend  of  Kit  Carson,  by  the  name  of 
Maxwell,  who  had  become  quite  rich.  Fifty  miles 
east  from  Taos,  there  is  one  of  the  most  lovely  val 
leys  in  the  world  called  Razado.  Fringed  with  lofty 
hills  of  luxuriant  foliage,  with  a  mountain  stream 
meandering  through  the  heart  of  the  valley,  and 
with  the  fertile  prairie  extending  on  either  side, 
waving  with  grass  and  flowers,  a  scene  is  presented 
which  is  quite  enchanting. 

This  valley  Maxwell  and  Carson  selected  for  their 
vast  farms,  or  ranches,  as  they  were  called,  contain 
ing  thousands  of  acres.  Maxwell  erected  a  mansion 


THE   CHIVALRY   OF  THE   WILDERNEST.        275 

which  would  be  an  ornament  to  any  country  town. 
Mr.  Carson's  dwelling,  though  more  modest,  was 
tasteful,  and  abounding  with  comforts.  While  earn 
estly  engaged  in  developing  and  cultivating  his  farm, 
he  heard  that  an  American  merchant  by  the  name 
of  White,  while  approaching  Santa  Fe  in  his  private 
carriage,  had  been  killed  by  the  Apaches,  and 
his  wife  and  only  child  were  carried  off  by  the 
savages. 

A  command  was  immediately  organized  to  pur 
sue  the  murderers,  and  rescue  the  lady  if  possible. 
Kit  Carson  proffered  his  services  for  the  expedition. 
The  first  object  was  to  find  the  trail.  They  soon 
reached  the  place  where  the  crime  had  been  com 
mitted.  The  ground  was  strewn  with  boxes,  trunks 
and  pieces  of  harness,  etc.,  which  the  savages  had  not 
thought  it  worth  while  to  carry  away.  They  struck 
the  trail  and  followed  it  for  twelve  days  without 
overtaking  the  fugitives.  At  last  their  camp  was 
seen  far  away  in  the  distance.  Kit  Carson  was  the 
first  who  caught  a  glimpse  of  it.  He  urged  that  they 
should  draw  unseen  as  near  the  camp  as  possible, 
and  then  make  a  sudden  rush  upon  the  Indians, 
with  constant  and  unerring  discharges  from  their 
rifles.  He  said  that  the  savages  in  their  consterna 
tion  would  run,  each  one  to  save  his  own  life,  with 
out  thinking  of  their  captives.  If  there  were  a  few 


2  76 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


moments  allowed  them  for  thought,  they  would  cer 
tainly  kill  them  before  effecting  their  escape. 

Unfortunately  his  counsel  was  not  followed. 
There  was  hesitation,  delay,  and  talk  of  parley.  At 
length  they  made  the  attack.  The  Indians  fled  be 
fore  them  like  deer.  The  body  of  Mrs.  White  was 
found  in  the  camp,  still  warm,  with  an  arrow  piercing 
her  heart.  The  savages,  on  their  fresh  horses,  could 
not  be  overtaken  by  the  wearied  steeds  of  the  drag 
oons.  They  were  pursued  for  six  miles.  One  war 
rior  was  killed,  and  several  wounded.  Sadly  they 
returned.  The  little  child  of  Mrs.  White  had  an 
noyed  the  Indians  by  its  cries,  and  with  one  blow  of 
a  tomahawk,  its  skull  had  been  split  open. 

Mr.  Carson  speaking  of  this  adventure  modestly 
writes : 

"  I  am  certain  that  if  the  Indians  had  been 
charged  immediately  on  our  arrival,  Mrs.  White 
would  have  been  saved.  Yet  I  cannot  blame  the 
commanding  officer,  or  the  guide,  for  the  action  they 
took  in  the  affair.  They  evidently  did  as  they 
thought  best ;  but  I  have  no  doubt  that  they  now 
can  see  that  if  my  advice  had  been  taken,  the  life  of 
Mrs.  White  might  have  been  spared." 

The  expedition  however  was  not  a  failure.  The 
Indians  were  severely  punished.  Many  of  them  fled 
with  nothing  but  the  scanty  clothing  they  had  on. 


THE   CHIVALRY   OF  THE   WILDERNESS.        2// 

Mr.  Carson  returned  to  Razado.  The  winter  passed 
peacefully  away. 

In  the  spring,  a  band  of  Apaches  entered  the 
valley,  shot  the  two  herdsmen,  and  drove  off  a  large 
number  of  animals.  Kit  Carson,  at  the  head  of  ten 
dragons,  set  out  in  sharp  pursuit.  After  a  ride  of 
twenty-five  miles,  they  came  in  sight  of  them,  far 
away  on  the  prairie.  It  was  an  open  chase.  Soon 
four  of  the  horses  of  the  dragoons  gave  out.  The  re 
mainder  of  the  party,  consisting  of  Carson,  six  drag 
oons,  and  three  settlers,  pressed  on.  They  soon  got 
near  enough  to  count  the  numbers  of  the  Indians. 
There  were  twenty.  Five  of  them  were  soon 
struck  by  rifle  balls,  and  dropped  from  their  horses. 
The  heroic  band  returned  with  the  stolen  pro 
perty. 

Mr.  Carson  was  now  a  farmer.  In  May,  1856, 
accompanied  by  an  old  mountaineer,  he  took  fifty 
horses  and  mules  to  Fort  Laramie,  a  distance  of  five 
hundred  miles,  and  sold  them  to  advantage.  He 
then  set  out  for  home  accompanied  only  by  a  Mexi 
can  boy.  He  remained  at  his  farm  through  the  fol 
lowing  summer,  a  peaceful,  industrious,  busy  man, 
loving  his  home  and  enjoying  it.  He  had  quite  a 
number  of  Mexicans  employed  upon  his  large  farm, 
whose  labors  he  superintended.  Much  of  his  time 
he  employed  in  hunting,  thus  abundantly  supplying 


2/8  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

his  large  family  with  game.  It  is  written  of  him,  at 
this  time : 

"  Mounted  on  a  fine  horse,  with  his  faithful  dog 
and  gun,  early  each  day  he  would  start  out  on  the 
prairies,  to  engage  in  the  chase.  In  a  few  hours  he 
would  return  on  foot  with  his  noble  hunter  loaded 
down  with  choice  game.  Sometimes  it  would  be  an 
antelope  or  elk.  On  another  occasion  it  would  con 
sist  of  black-tailed  deer,  which  are  celebrated  as 
being  the  largest  and  finest  specimens  of  venison 
that  roam  the  forests  of  any  country,  and  are  only 
to  be  found  in  the  Rocky  mountains ;  on  another, 
wild  turkeys,  and  then  mountain  grouse  and  prairie 
chickens,  helped  to  complete  the  load.  When  thus 
provided  for,  it  is  no  wonder  that  Kit's  workmen 
loved  their  employment,  and  labored  with  good  will. 

"  In  his  mountain  home  he  was  often  visited  by 
Indian  friends  who  came  to  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace 
with  him,  and  to  enjoy  his  hospitality.  He  saw  him 
self  in  possession  of  fine  lands,  well  watered  and 
well  timbered.  The  soil,  unsurpassed  in  richness  and 
fertility,  was  a  safe  and  sure  depository  for  his  seeds, 
telling  him  in  its  silent  but  unmistakable  language, 
of  the  harvest  in  store  for  him.  His  stock  was  the 
best  which  heart  could  wish.  And  last,  but  not 
least,  he  was  within  a  stone's  throw  of  splendid  hunt 
ing-grounds." 


THE  CHIVALRY   OF  THE  WILDERNESS.        2/Q 

During  the  summer  two  gentlemen,  Messrs.  Bre- 
voort  and  Weatherhead,  were  going  to  the  United 
States  from  Santa  Fe,  with  a  large  sum  of  money  to 
purchase  goods.  One  of  the  worst  of  frontier  vaga 
bonds,  a  fellow  by  the  name  of  Fox,  offered  his 
services  as  guide,  and  to  organize  a  company  to 
escort  them  over  the  plains.  He  was  a  shrewd  and 
plausible  scoundrel,  and  his  services  were  accepted. 
He  enlisted  a  small  but  very  energetic  band  of  des 
peradoes,  and  conspired  with  them  to  murder  and 
rob  the  gentlemen  on  the  way.  The  deed  was  to  be 
perpetrated  when  they  should  have  got  nearly  across 
the  plains.  The  murderers  could  then  divide  the 
rich  booty  among  themselves,  and  scatter  through 
out  the  States. 

One  wretch  who  had  been  applied  to  to  join  the 
gang,  but  who  for  some  unknown  reason  had  declined, 
divulged  the  plot  when  he  thought  that  his  friend 
Fox  was  so  far  on  his  way  that  there  was  no  danger 
of  his  being  overtaken  and  arrested.  The  rumors 
of  the  diabolical  plot  reached  the  ears  of  Kit  Carson. 
He  knew  Fox"  and  his  depraved  associates  well. 
The  murder  was  to  be  perpetrated  when  the  party 
should  reach  Cimaron  river,  about  three  hundred 
miles  from  Santa  Fe. 

In  an  hour  the  energetic  man  was  mounted  with 
a  small  band  of  his  employes,  all  upon  the  fleetest 


280 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


and  most  powerful  steeds.  Most  of  the  workmen  on 
Mr.  Carson's  extended  ranche  were  veteran  pioneers. 
Every  man  was  well  armed,  and  led  a  horse  in  addi 
tion  to  the  one  upon  which  he  rode.  It  vtas  possible, 
and  that  was  all,  that  by  the  most  expeditious  riding 
the  travellers  might  be  overtaken  before  the  bloody 
deed  had  been  performed. 

Their  path  was  over  the  open  prairie.  Onward 
they  went  as  fast  as  their  steeds  could  be  safely 
urged.  The  second  night  out,  they  came  upon  a 
detachment  of  United  States  troops  bound  for  Cali 
fornia  as  recruits.  The  officer  in  command,  Captain 
Ewell,  knowing  that  the  plains  were  infested  with 
powerful  bands  of  Indians,  by  whom  the  small  party 
of  Mr.  Carson  might  be  cut  off,  generously  joined 
him  with  twenty  men,  leaving  the  rest  of  his  party 
to  proceed  on  their  journey  by  slow  marches. 

They  overtook  the  merchants  just  before  they 
had  reached  the  spot  where  their  lives  were  to  be 
taken.  Fox  was  at  once  arrested.  Messrs.  Weather- 
head  and  Brevoort  were  astounded  when  informed 
of  the  peril  from  which  they  had  been  rescued.  Fox 
was  carried  back  to  Santa  Fe  and  placed  in  jail. 
The  merchants  were  entrusted  to  the  care  of  fifteen 
men  who  could  be  relied  upon.  The  rest  of  the 
gang  were  ordered  immediately  to  leave  the  camp. 
Though  their  guilty  designs  were  unquestioned,  they 


THE  CHIVALRY  OF  THE  WILDERNESS.    28 1 

would  be  difficult  of  proof.  The  grateful  merchants 
offered  Kit  Carson  a  large  sum  of  money  for  his 
heroic  and  successful  efforts  to  save  their  lives.  He 
replied : 

"  It  is  a  sufficient  reward  for  me  to  have  been  in 
strumental  in  saving  the  lives  of  two  worthy  citizens. 
I  can  not  think  of  receiving  one  cent  of  money/' 

They  all  met  that  night  gratefully  and  joyously, 
around  their  camp  fires.  With  the  exception  of  the 
guilty  wretches  who  had  been  plotting  murder,  all 
were  very  happy.  The  emotions  excited  were  too 
deep  to  allow  of  jollity.  Indeed  Kit  Carson  was 
never  a  jolly  man.  He  had  no  taste  for  revelry.  As 
in  every  man  of  deep  reflection  and  true  greatness, 
the  pensive  element  predominated  in  his  character. 

It  was  a  brilliant  night,  calm,  serene  and  starlight. 
As  Carson  lay  awake  at  midnight,  thanking  God  for 
what  he  had  been  enabled  to  accomplish,  it  must 
have  been  an  hour  of  sublimity  to  him,  such  as  is 
rarely  experienced  on  earth.  While  most  of  the  nu 
merous  party  were  sleeping  soundly  around  him, 
nothing  could  be  heard  but  the  howling  of  packs  of 
prairie  wolves,  and  the  heavy  tread  of  the  guards,  as 
they  walked  their  beats. 

We  can  not  doubt  that  Mr.  Carson  was  in  heart 
thoroughly  a  religious  man.  It  is  the  element  of  re 
ligion  alone,  which,  in  the  midst  of  such  temptations, 


282 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


could  form  a  character  of  such  remarkable  purity. 
He  was  too  reticent  to  speak  of  his  own  feelings  and 
there  were  but  few,  if  any,  of  the  thoughtless  men 
around  him  who  could  appreciate  his  Christian  emo 
tions. 

Messrs.  Brevoort  and  Weatherhead  made  a 
graceful  acknowledgment  of  their  obligations  to  Mr. 
Carson  for  the  invaluable  service  which  he  had  ren 
dered  them.  In  the  following  spring  they  present 
ed  him  with  a  pair  of  magnificent  revolvers.  Upon 
the  silver  mountings  there  was  engraved  a  brief  nar 
rative  of  his  heroic  achievement.  Mr.  Carson  on  his 
return  to  Razado,  found  pleasant  and  constant  em 
ployment  in  carrying  on  his  farm  and  providing 
many  hungry  mouths  with  game.  His  hospitable 
home  was  ever  crowded  with  guests. 

Early  in  the  summer  he  set  out  with  Mr.  Max 
well  and  a  large  train  of  wagons,  for  the  States. 
Leaving  his  animals  and  wagons  on  the  Kansas 
frontier,  he  descended  the  river  to  St.  Louis  in  a 
steamboat.  Here  he  purchased  a  large  stock  of 
goods,  and  reascending  the  river,  transferred  them 
to  his  caravan.  He  then  started  with  his  long  train 
to  return  to  New  Mexico.  His  route  was  through 
the  rich  pasturage  to  be  found  on  the  way  to  Bent's 
Fort.  Just  before  reaching  the  ford  of  the  Arkansas, 
he  fell  in  with  an  encampment  of  Cheyenne  warriors. 


THE   CHIVALRY   OF  THE   WILDERNESS.        283 

They  were  greatly  and  justly  exasperated  by  an  out 
rage  inflicted  upon  them  by  a  preceding  party  of 
United  States  recruits.  Kit  Carson,  though  uncon 
scious  of  this,  perceived  at  once  that  something  was 
wrong.  These  Indians  had  been  very  friendly. 

With  his  customary  caution,  he  ordered  the  cara 
van  to  press  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible,  through 
the  country  of  the  Cheyennes,  while  every  man  was 
ordered  to  be  constantly  on  guard.  Having  ad 
vanced  about  twenty  miles,  he  saw  that  the  savage 
warriors  were  rapidly  gathering  around  him,  in  ever 
increasing  numbers.  Throwing  up  an  intrenched 
camp,  he  rode  out  to  within  hailing  distance  of  an 
advanced  party  of  the  warriors,  and  proposed  a 
council.  His  friendly  words  in  some  degree  concil 
iated  them.  They  were  soon  seated  in  a  circle,  and 
they  smoked  the  pipe  of  peace.  Carson  had  ad 
dressed  them  through  an  interpreter.  They  did  not 
suppose  that  the  pale  face  could  understand  their 
language.  But  he  did  understand  it  perfectly. 

The  savages  began  to  talk  very  loudly  among 
themselves.  Carson,  understanding  every  word  they 
said,  listened  eagerly,  hoping  to  ascertain  the  cause 
of  their  unexpected  hostility.  Openly,  but  as  they 
thought  secretly,  they  discussed  their  plot,  treacher 
ously  to  'disarm  the  whites  of  their  suspicion,  and 
then  to  arise  and  massacre  them  all.  With  true  In- 


284  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

dian  cunning,  they  ha4  arranged  matters  so  that  it 
would  appear  that  the  Sioux  Indians,  had  perpetrated 
the  massacre,  and  that  the  white  man's  vengeance 
might  fall  upon  them. 

Suddenly  Carson  sprang  to  his  feet,  ordered  every 
man  who  attended  him,  to  be  ready  for  immediate 
action.  Then  to  the  astonishment  of  the  savages,  in 
pure  Cheyenne,  he  said  to  them  : 

"You  see  that  I  understand  all  that  you  have 
said.  Why  do  you  wish  for  my  scalp?  I  have  ever 
been  the  friend  of  your  tribe.  No  one  of  you  has 
ever  been  injured  by  me.  There  are  some  here 
whom  I  have  met  in  past  years.  If  they  will  turn  to 
their  memories,  they  will  recall  the  former  hunter 
of  Bent's  Fort.  I  have  eaten  and  drank  with  them. 
And  now  without  any  provocation  from  me,  you 
treacherously  seek  my  life.  If  you  do  not  instantly 
leave  this  place,  I  will  order  you  to  be  shot." 

The  warriors  disappeared  on  swift  feet.  Kit  Car 
son's  change  of  dress  had  so  altered  his  appearance, 
that  they  did  not  at  first  recognize  him.  But  they 
had  not  forgotten  his  reputation.  Though  they  had 
counted  his  armed  teamsters,  and  saw  that  they  num 
bered  fifteen,  the  Indian  warriors  held  a  grand  coun 
cil,  and  probably  the  decision  was  to  withdraw  with 
out  an  attack.  Perhaps  they  remembered  their 
former  friendship  for  Carson  ;  perhaps  they  were  in- 


THE  CHIVALRY  OF  THE  WILDERNESS.        285 

timidated  by  his  military  prowess.  At  all  events,  he 
was  not  again  molested.  The  remainder  of  the 
journey  to  Razado  was  accomplished  in  safety, 
though  the  vigilance  of  this  distinguished  leader 
was  not  intermitted  in  the  slightest  degree  for  a 
single  mile  of  the  way. 


CHAPTER  XV. 
Recollections  of  Mountain  Life. 

Character  of  the  Native  Indian. — The  Caravan. — Interesting  Incident. 
— Effects  of  Cholera. — Commission  of  Joe  Smith. — Snow  on  the 
Mountains. — Government  Appointment. — Adventure  with  three 
Bears. — Journey  to  Los  Angelos. — Mt  St.  Bernardino. — The 
Spring. — Character  of  Men. — Insubordination  Quelled. — Suffer 
ing  for  Water  and  Relief. — A  Talk  with  Indians. 

IN  writing  the  life  of  Kit  Carson,  my  object  has 
been,  as  has  been  mentioned,  not  merely  to  record 
those  remarkable  traits  of  character  which  Mr.  Car 
son  developed,  but  also  to  portray  and  perpetuate 
the  great  features  of  that  wild  and  wondrous  moun 
taineer  life,  which  the  discovery  of  this  continent 
ushered  in,  but  even  the  memory  of  which  is  now 
rapidly  passing  to  oblivion. 

It  so  happens  that  I  have  an  intimate  friend 
who  passed  ten  years  of  his  early  manliood  roving 
through  these  solitudes.  I  have  spent  many  an 
evening  hour,  listening  to  his  recital  of  the  adven 
tures  which  he  encountered  there.  This  friend,  Mr. 
William  E.  Goodyear,  is  a  man  of  unusual  native 
strength  of  mind,  of  marvellous  powers  of  memory, 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN  LIFE.          287 

and  I  repose  implicit  confidence  in  his  veracity.  At 
my  earnest  solicitation,  he  has  furnished  me  with 
the  following  graphic  narrative  of  the  scenes  which 
he  witnessed  nearly  a  score  of  years  ago,  when  these 
regions  were  rarely  visited  save  by  the  wild  beast 
and  the  Indian. 

In  the  year  1852  I,  then  a  young  man,  in  all  the 
vigor  of  early  youth,  and  of  unusual  health  and 
strength,  when  the  wildest  adventures  were  a  pleas 
ure,  was  led  by  peculiar  circumstances  to  undertake 
a  trip  across  the  continent.  Our  journey  from  Inde 
pendence,  Missouri,  to  Salt  Lake  was  accomplished 
without  any  incident  worthy  of  especial  record. 
Along  the  route  we  were  accompanied  by  almost  an 
incessant  caravan  of  wagons,  horsemen  and  footmen, 
some  bound  to  the  Mormon  city,  some  flocking  to 
the  recently  discovered  gold  mines  in  California,  and 
some  on  hunting  and  trapping  excursions,  to  the 
vast  prairies  and  majestic  valleys  of  the  far  west. 
Here  we  met  several  men  whose  names  had  attained 
much  renown  among  the  pioneers  of  the  wilderness, 
such  men  as  James  Bridger,  Tim  Goodell,  Jim  Beck- 
with,  chief  of  the  Crow  Indians,  William  Rogers,  a 
half  breed,  and  Arkansas  Sam 

Our  company  numbered  but  four,  consisting  of  my 
uncle,  then  and  now  resident  in  California,  who  was 
returning  to  his  home,  from  a  visit  to  the  States ; 


288 


CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 


myself,  who  was  crossing  the  continent  mainly  for  the 
love  of  ad  venture;  another  young  man,  and  an  In 
dian  boy,  about  sixteen  years  old,  called  Joe.  The 
boy  had  been  brought  from  the  Indian  country,  and 
was  about  as  wild  and  ungovernable  a  spirit  as  ever 
chased  a  buffalo  or  shouted  the  war-whoop. 

My  uncle  had  often  during  the  previous  twenty 
years,  crossed  the  mountains,  on  trapping  expeditions 
with  an  elder  brother.  In  these  adventures  my 
uncle,  whom  I  was  accompanying,  had  become  quite 
familiar  with  the  peculiarities  of  the  Indian,  and  had 
become  acquainted  with  many  of  the  chiefs  of  the 
different  tribes.  Neither  he  nor  his  brother  had 
even  been  afraid  to  enter  the  camp  of  the  Indian ; 
for  they  had  never  deceived  nor  defrauded  him. 

Let  it  be  remembered  that  these  excursions  of 
my  uncle  had  taken  place  nearly  forty  years  ago, 
before  unprincipled  traders  had  carried  whiskey  into 
the  country  and  robbed  the  Indians  in  every  possible 
way.  The  native  Indian  seems  to  have  been  the 
soul  of  honor.  But  now  how  changed  !  contaminated 
by  vagabond  white  men. 

Our  company  had  about  a  dozen  horses  and 
mules.  We  rode  the  horses  and  the  well  packed 
mules  carried  our  luggage.  We  had  also  a  light 
two  horse  spring  wagon.  Behold  us,  then,  three  of 
us,  mounted  in  half  Spanish  saddles,  with  our  rifles 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF  MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          289 

in  front  lying  crossways  between  our  persons  and 
the  horn  of  the  saddle.  The  never-failing  revolver 
and  hunting  knife  were  in  our  belts.  The  young 
man  drove  the  wagon  which  contained  many  of  our 
most  valuable  effects. 

It  was  without  much  thought  that  we  set  out  on 
the  emigrant  trail  to  California,  a  distance  of  about 
three  thousand  miles.  As  on  our  journey  we  were 
one  day  descending  the  hills  into  the  valley  of  the 
Platte  river,  near  a  place  called  Ash  Hollow,  our 
keen-eyed  Indian  boy  exclaimed,  "  I  see  Indians." 
Looking  around  with  a  rapid  glance  and  seeing 
nothing,  I  said,  "  I  think  not."  "  Yes,"  he  replied, 
"  there  certainly  are  Indians,"  and  pointed  to  some 
specks  far  away  before  us,  on  the  meadows  which 
skirted  the  stream. 

Sure  enough,  there  was  a  band  of  Indians  quite 
distinctly  discernible.  My  uncle  looked  at  them  for 
a  moment  quite  intently  and  in  silence.  Then  he 
said  : 

"  Boys !  there  is  a  band  of  Indians  on  the  war 
path.  I  wish  you  to  obey  my  instructions  exactly. 
Do  not  stop  your  riding  animals  or  the  team.  Keep 
straight  ahead,  unless  I  tell  you  to  halt.  Do  not 
fire  a  shot  unless  I  fire  first.  Then  take  deliberate 
aim  and  kill  as  many  as  you  can  before  you  go 
under." 

'3 


2QO  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

"  Go  under!"  this  was  the  almost  invariable 
phrase,  in  the  language  of  the  mountains,  for  death. 
I  well  remember  my  thoughts  as  we  neared  them. 
It  was  indeed  a  formidable  looking  band  of  Aripa- 
ho  Indians,  hideously  painted,  and  looking  more  like 
demons  than  men,  armed  for  a  fight.  They  were  all 
mounted,  and  each  warrior  carried  in  his  hand  a 
long  spear  and  a  strong  shield,  impervious  to  arrows, 
made  of  rawhide.  Their  bows  and  arrows  were 
slung  to  their  backs.  To  my  inexperienced  eye 
they  seemed  incarnate  fiends.  We  had  met  several 
small  bands  of  Indians  before,  but  no  war  party  like 
this. 

When  we  had  approached  within  a  few  hundred 
yards  of  each  other,  my  uncle  said  : 

"  Boys !  do  not  forget  what  I  have  told  you." 

Then  pressing  his  large  Mexican  spurs  into  the 
sides  of  his  horse,  he  darts  away  towards  them  upon 
the  full  gallop,  at  the  same  time  shouting  something 
in  the  Indian  language  which  I  did  not  understand. 
Their  ranks  opened  and  he  rode  into  the  centre  and 
instantly  dismounted.  There  was  the  chief  on  a 
splendid  charger.  He  also  alighted,  and  for  a 
moment  both  were  concealed  from  our  view,  buried 
as  it  were,  within  the  ranks  of  the  plumed  warriors. 
They  were,  as  we  afterwards  ascertained,  fraternally 
embracing  each  other.  Both  remounted  their  horses, 


i 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          29! 

the  ranks  opened  again  and  they  two,  my  uncle  and 
the  chief,  rode  out  upon  the  full  run  towards  us  as 
our  little  cavalcade  were  steadily  pressing  forward  on 
the  trail. 

When  they  reached  us,  the  chief  held  out  his 
hand  to  me,  and  said  in  broken  English,  "  How  do, 
brother?''  I  shook  hands  with  him,  returning  the 
salutation  of  "  How  do."  My  uncle  then  turning  to 
me  said,  "  Have  you  plenty  of  tobacco  with,  you  ?  " 
"  O  yes,"  I  replied  rather  tremblingly,  for  I  was  ill 
at  ease.  "  You  can  have  it  all  if  you  want  it.''  "  I 
don't  want  it  all,"  uncle  replied.  "  Give  me  one 
plug."  I  gave  it  to  him  and  he  handed  it  to  the 
chief. 

The  war  party  was  directly  on  the  trail.  Four 
hundred  mounted  warriors  occupy  much  space, 
composing  a  formidable  looking  band.  Following 
the  directions  which  had  been  given  us,  we  continued 
on  the  move.  The  chief  waved  a  signal  to  his  men, 
to  which  they  promptly  responded,  opening  their 
ranks  and  filing  to  the  right  and  to  the  left.  We 
passed  on  through  this  living  wall  bristling  with 
spears,  meeting  with  an  occasional  greeting  of  "  How 
do."  Having  passed  through  the  long  lines  of  the 
band  my  uncle  said  to  me,  "  Keep  straight  on  till 
night.  I  will  then  rejoin  you.  I  am  going  to  have 
a  big  smoke  with  the  chief." 


2Q2  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

With  alacrity  we  obeyed  this  mandate,  glad 
enough  to  leave  such  customers  behind  us.  I  con 
fess  that  I  was  half  frightened  to  death,  and  feared  I 
should  never  see  my  uncle  again.  In  the  evening 
he  joined  us  and  laughed  very  heartily  at  me  for 
wishing,  in  my  trepidation,  to  give  the  chief  all  my 
tobacco. 

In  after  life,  in  my  intercourse  with  the  Indians,  I 
got  bravely  over  being  scared  by  any  sights  or 
sounds  emanating  from  them.  We  pressed  on  with 
out  molestation  to  Salt  Lake,  passing  continually  the 
newly  made  graves  of  the  dead.  The  cholera  had 
broken  out  with  awful  fatality,  along  the  whole  line 
of  the  emigrants'  march,  consigning  thousands  to 
burial  in  the  wilderness. 

We  reached  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  the  home  of 
the  Mormons,  in  safety.  Here  we  remained  for 
nearly  a  month.  I  called  on  Brigham  Young,  and 
also  on  the  old  patriarch  Joe  Smith.  From  the  lat 
ter  I  received  a  commisson,  or  power  of  attorney, 
for  the  consideration  of  two  dollars,  authorizing  me 
to  heal  the  sick,  to  raise  the  dead,  and  to  speak  all 
languages.  Perhaps  my  want  of  faith  left  me  as 
powerless  as  other  men,  notwithstanding  my  commis 
sion.  We  spent  our  time  here  in  strolling  around 
the  city,  visiting  the  tabernacle,  bathing  and  fishing 
in  the  river  Jordan,  which  empties  into  the  lake,  and 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          293 

in  making  sundry  purchases  for  the  continuation  of 
our  journey  to  the  Pacific. 

Again  we  started  upon  our  journey.  After  weary 
days  of  travel,  without  encountering  any  adventure 
of  special  interest,  we  reached  the  vast-ridge  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada  mountains.  Up,  up,  and  still  up,  the 
trail  led  us  over  the  gigantic  cliffs.  On  the  summit 
we  found  snow  hundreds  of  feet  deep,  and  apparently 
as  hard  as  the  rock  which  it  surmounted.  We 
crossed  the  ridge  by  what  is  called  the  Carson  route. 
Descending  the  mountains  on  the  western  side,  we 
find  ourselves  in  California,  and  pressing  on  through 
Sacramento,  to  Benicia,  are  at  our  journey's  end. 

We  left  Independence  on  the  third  of  June.  It 
is  now  the  latter  part  of  September.  We  have  spent 
almost  four  months  on  the  road.  And  here  let  me 
say,  that  had  I  given  a  description  of  the  country,  its 
rivers,  its  mountains,  its  scenery,  its  abundance  of 
game,  among  the  noblest  of  which,  are  the  buffalo, 
bears  of  different  kinds,  deer,  antelope,  mountain 
sheep  ;  its  numerous  rivers  abounding  with  a  great 
variety  of  fishes, — had  I  endeavored  to  give  a  full 
description  of  all  these,  it  would  have  demanded  a 
volume  rather  than  a  chapter. 

Here  I  was  at  Benicia,  and  winter  was  at  hand. 
I  decided  not  to  go  to  the  mining  districts  until  the 
spring  sun  should  return.  Provisions  commanded  al- 


2Q4  CHRISTOPHER    CARSON. 

most  fabulous  prices.  Packers  got  a  dollar  a  pound 
for  packing  flour,  sugar,  rice  and  other  things  which 
the  miners  must  have. 

But  an  unexpected  opening  presented  itself  to 
me.  Mr.  Frederick  Loring  was  about  to  set  out  on 
a  surveying  tour  in  behalf  of  the  government.  I  se 
cured  a  position  in  the  party  as  chain-man. 

We  set  out  for  San  Rafael,  which  is  in  Marin 
county,  on  the  coast  of  the  Pacific,  just  north  of  San 
Francisco.  We  had  been  out  but  five  or  six  weeks, 
when  Mr.  Loring's  health  began  seriously  to  fail 
him.  One  day  he  called  me  to  him,  and  said : 

"  I  wish  you  now  to  quit  chaining  and  to  carry 
my  instrument  and  to  watch  me,  that  you  may  learn 
to  use  it  yourself.  I  shall  probably  not  be  able  to 
finish  this  contract.  I  ought  to  be  on  my  bed 
now." 

Very  readily  I  fell  in  with  this  arrangement. 
Having  studied  navigation  while  a  boy  at  school, 
which  is  somewhat  similar  to  surveying,  it  did  not 
take  me  a  great  while  to  learn  to  adjust  the  instru 
ment,  or  to  take  the  variations  at  night,  on  the  elon 
gation  of  the  north  star.  I  will  here  remark  in  pass 
ing,  that  Mr.  Loring  soon  became  so  enfeebled  that 
he  returned  to  San  Francisco,  where  he  died. 

One  day  while  surveying  in  the  coast  range,  we 
had  descended  a  mountain,  and  upon  a  plain  below 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF  MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          2Q5 

had  found  a  dense  chaparral  or  thicket  of  bushes, 
so  closely  interwoven  that  we  could  not  penetrate  it 
with  our  pack  animals.  We  therefore  sent  the  boys 
down  the  plain,  along  the  edge  of  the  thickets,  to  find 
some  better  place  to  go  through.  Mr.  Loring,  our 
chain-man  and  I  prepared  to  make  a  triangulation,  in 
order  to  get  the  distance  from  the  point  we  were  at, 
to  a  white  stone  on  our  line  of  survey,  which  was  on 
the  side  of  the  opposite  mountain  and  across  the 
chaparral. 

Having  finished  the  triangulation,  Mr.  Loring  and 
I  endeavored  to  cross  the  chaparral  by  a  direction 
different  from  that  which  the  main  body  of  the  party 
was  pursuing.  Suddenly  Mr.  Loring  dropped  his 
instrument  and  in  a  tone  of  terror  exclaimed  : 

"  Look  at  that  bear.''  I  looked  as  he  pointed  in 
the  direction  of  a  large  rock,  and  there  were  three 
huge  grizzly  bears.  Loring,  being  longer  legged  than 
I,  left  me  like  a  shot  from  a  gun.  I  ran  to  a  tree, 
near  by,  from  four  to  six  feet  in  circumference,  and 
very  speedily  found  myself  perched  among  its 
branches.  I  looked  for  the  bears.  One  had  not  left 
the  spot  where  we  discovered  them.  Another  was 
growling  and  snarling  at  the  foot  of  the  tree  which  I 
had  climbed.  The  other  was  going  after  Loring  at 
no  very  slow  pace. 

We  had  got  through  the  chaparral  and  our  party 
8 


296  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

with  the  mules  had  also  come  across  and  were  many 
rods  farther  down  the  valley,  coming  up  to  meet  us. 
As  Loring  fled  with  the  speed  of  an  antelope,  he  met 
the  first  animal,  which  happened  to  be  the  kitchen 
mule.  He  was  so  called,  because  he  had  very  large 
open  bags  or  panniers,  into  which  we  put  all  our 
cooking  utensils.  Loring  sprang  upon  the  back  of 
the  mule.  At  the  same  moment  the  animal  caught 
sight  of  the  grizzly  bear.  Frantic  with  terror,  he 
turned  and  fled  as  mule  never  fled  before.  Down 
went  the  mule  on  the  back  track  along  the  edge  of 
the  chaparral.  Once  in  a  while,  as  the  bags  flew 
around,  they  would  catch  on  the  bushes,  and  tear  a 
hole.  Soon  the  tin  cups  and  plates  began  to  fly,  the 
mule  kicking  at  them  with  every  jump,  making  such 
a  din  as  to  set  all  the  rest  of  the  animals  flying 
through  .the  bushes,  and  down  the  trail  in  the  wildest 
imaginable  stampede.  The  huge  bear  in  mad  pur 
suit  was  rushing  after  them. 

It  was  a  sight  I  shall  never  forget.  Loring  on  the 
cook's  mule  hanging  on  with  all  his  might.  The  tin 
ware  flying  in  all  directions.  All  the  boys  as  well  as 
your  humble  servant,  up  in  the  trees  looking  on.  I 
laughed  so  heartily  at  the  ludicrous  scene,  that  I  was 
in  danger  of  falling,  in  which  case  the  bear  would 
have  torn  me  to  pieces  right  quick. 

But  who  is  this  coming  towards  me?     He   is  an 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF  MOUNTAIN   LIFE. 

old  hunter  of  our  party  who  used  to  make  shingles 
in  the  Red-woods.  He  has  had  two  sons  killed  by 
bears.  Now  he  has  joined  our  party  to  provide  us 
with  game.  Deliberately,  he  walks  up  to  within  ten 
feet  of  the  bear  who  is  growling  at  the  foot  of  my 
tree.  Bruin  turns  on  his  new  foe,  and  rising  on  his 
hind  feet,  with  appalling  howlings,  prepares  for  battle. 
But  in  an  instant  the  old  man's  rifle  is  at  his 
shoulder.  His  eye  runs  quickly  through  the  sights, 
an  explosion  follows,  and  the  bear  is  dead.  The 
hunter  knew  well  where  to  strike  a  vital  point. 
Satisfied  that  the  monster  was  powerless,  I  came 
down  from  the  tree. 

The  other  bear,  apparently  dismayed  by  the  com 
motion  he  had  created,  turned  into  the  chaparral 
and  disappeared.  It  required  all  the  rest  of  the  day 
to  re-collect  our  party  and  to  repair  damages. 

Let  us  now  pass  from  these  scenes  to  the  spring 
of  the  year  1854.  Here  we  are  then  in  San  Fran 
cisco,  all  ready  to  start  on  board  the  Sea  Bird.  "  Cast 
off  the  lines."  "  Aye,  aye,  sir."  Off  we  go  around 
North  Beach.  You  will  see  Point  Boneta  on  the 
north,  and  Point  de  los  Lobos  on  the  south. 
Through  the  straits  we  go  out  at  the  Golden  Gate. 
Onward  we  glide  past  Farallones  de  los  Frayles,  and 
here  we  are  out  on  the  broad  Pacific. 

After  sailing  about  three  hundred  miles  south  we 


298  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

arrive  at  San  Pedro.  We  go  ashore  at  once  and 
secure  seats  in  the  stage  for  Ciudad  de  los  Angelos, 
which  is  situated  about  twenty-five  miles  from  here 
in  a  northerly  direction.  There  is  now,  after  the 
lapse  of  twenty  years,  a  railroad,  instead  of  Banning's 
stages,  by  which  one  can  be  transported  to  the  City 
of  Angels.  We  shall  be  obliged  to  stay  here  for  a 
few  c'ays,  to  prepare  our  outfit.  Let  us  see  what  we 
want.  Mules  and  jacks,  pack-saddles,  saddles  for 
ourselves-  to  ride,  in  fact  every  thing  pertaining  to 
camp-life.  Here  we  can  get  almost  any  thing  we 
wish  for  man  or  beast. 

Well  then  we  will  suppose  that  now  we  are  ready 
to  start.  Away  we  go  towards  San  Bernardino.  We 
pass  the  finest  of  vineyards  where  thousands  of  gal 
lons  of  wine  are  made.  On,  on  we  go,  and  at  last, 
after  a  ride  of  about  seventy  miles,  we  arrive  at  San 
Bernardino.  One  of  the  first  things  which  attracts 
our  attention  is  the  mountain  of  the  same  name.  It 
rises  seventeen  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
ocean,  attaining  an  altitude  two  thousand  feet  above 
that  of  Mont  Blanc,  the  monarch  of  the  Alps. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  towns  are,  with  few  ex 
ceptions,  Mormons.  It  was  from  this  place  that  we 
started  on  a  survey,  commencing  east  of  the  coast 
range  of  mountains,  and  extending  our  operations  to 
the  extreme  boundary  line  of  California,  on  the  east, 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          299 

The  Colorado  river  was  then  the  line  which  separated 
California  from  New  Mexico. 

The  party  employed  in  this  surveying  tour  con 
sisted  of  about  forty  men.  The  first  day  we  went  as 
far  as  the  mouth  of  the  Cahon  Pass,  by  which  we 
were  to  penetrate  through  the  coast  range  of  which 
I  have  spoken.  At  this  spot  we  found  a  large  farm, 
which  they  call  a  ranche,  where  provisions  can  be 
purchased,  and  also  poor  whiskey.  We  rested  here 
for  the  night,  sleeping  in  the  open  air,  and  at  an  early 
hour  in  the  morning,  sprung  from  our  blankets  ready 
dressed.  The  cook  speedily  prepared  our  breakfast, 
we  ate  like  hungry  men  and  then  packed  our  mules 
and  jacks,  and  were  on  our  way.  Our  pack  animals 
will  carry  from  two  to  three  hundred  pounds  with 
out  any  trouble. 

Nearly  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  pass  we  came  to 
water.  This  I  claim  that  I  discovered,  or  at  least 
that  my  horse  discovered  it  for  me.  It  is  called  in 
Spanish  Guilliome  Bobo,  or  "  William  I  Drink."  No 
one  would  see  the  spring  unless  narrowly  looking  for 
it.  It  trickles  down  the  almost  perpendicular  side 
of  the  mountain.  We  encamped  at  the  spring,  and 
in  the  morning  made  an  early  start,  as  we  had  some 
forty  or  fifty  miles  to  go  that  day.  But  we  had  a 
serious  job  to  encounter  before  we  could  get  out  of 
this  defile.  It  is  so  steep  at  its  eastern  extremity, 


300  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

that  we  had  to  unpack  and  send  up  very  small  loads 
at  a  time.  In  some  places  we  had  to  use  ropes,  to 
haul  up  our  goods. 

But  after  a  while  everything  is  ready  for  another 
start.  On,  on  we  go,  through  a  barren  cactus  coun 
try,  till  we  reach  the  Mohave  river.  The  day  is  far 
spent,  we  are  all  very  weary,  men  as  well  as  animals. 
So,  boys,  off  with  the  packs  of  provisions,  and  let 
your  mules  go  with  their  long  hair  ropes.  Let  one 
of  the  men  be  sent  to  look  out  for  the  animals.  This 
was  no  sooner  said  than  done.  I  was  captain  of  my 
men.  A  harder  set  could  not  be  found,  in  any 
prison  in  this  or  any  other  land. 

My  lieutenant,  whose  name  was  Texas,  had  but 
one  eye  and  he  was  covered  with  scars.  But  not 
withstanding  the  company  was  a  hard  one,  it  was  the 
best  I  could  get  for  my  use.  Almost  all  of  them 
had  been  in  many  a  fight.  Before  they  had  been 
with  me  three  months,  I  have  reason  to  believe 
every  one  of  them  loved  me,  and  I  know  that  they 
feared  me.  Only  two  instances  of  mutiny  occurred 
in  over  two  years  and  a  half.  Both  of  these  I  will 
here  relate. 

On  one  occasion  I  observed  that  some  of  the 
jacks  had  been  kicked  severely.  I  said  to  my  pack- 
"master,  "  Mr.  Williams,  how  is  this?  Those  jacks 
have  been  shamefully  used.  The  skin  is  off  and  the 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          $01 

wounds  are  bleeding.  I,  as  you  well  know,  hold 
you  personally  responsible  for  every  animal.  Don't 
let  me  ever  see  this  again,  sir." 

As  I  turned  to  go  from  him,  I  heard  him  mutter 
something.  I  at  once,  with  my  hand  upon  my  re 
volver,  came  back  towards  him  and  inquired,  "  what's 
this  you're  saying,  sir?" 

He  replied,  "  I  kicked  the  jacks  myself  and  I  will 
do  it  again  if  they  bother  me." 

I  walked  to  within  perhaps  ten  paces  of  him  and 
said,  "  If  I  ever  catch  you  at  it,  I  will  shoot  you  like 
a  dog." 

"  Two,"  he  replied,  "  can  play  at  that  game,"  and 
his  hand  neared  the  butt  of  his  revolver.  I  jerked 
out  my  pistol  and  fired  at  his  arm.  His  pistol  drop 
ped  to  the  ground. 

"  Don't  shoot  again,  captain.  I  will  do  as  you 
wish  in  the  future.'' 

"  All  right,"  said  I.     "  Let  me  see  your*  arm." 

I  had  shot  him  through  his  wrist.  I  bound  up 
the  wound  as  well  as  I  could,  and  it  soon  healed. 
He  remained  in  my  employ  nearly  four  years  after 
that,  and  to  my  knowledge  was  never  guilty  of  doing 
me  or  my  animals  a  wrong. 

Another  instance  happened  a  long  time  after  this. 
I  was  getting  short  of  provisions,  and  had  got  to  do 
just  so  much  work  within  a  certain  time.  So  I 


302  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

resolved  to  run  two  instruments.  As  we  were  then 
running  sectional  lines,  I  could  take  the  variations  at 
night.  So  I  fixed  another  instrument  and  gave  it 
into  the  hands  of  a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Bid- 
dleman.  I  assigned  to  him  his  part  of  the  line  then, 
and  set  him  at  work  within  three  miles  of  the  camp. 
Returning  to  camp  about  two  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon,  to  do  some  traverse  work  around  a  small  lake, 
what  was  my  astonishment,  to  see  that  Biddleman's 
party  was  already  in  camp.  Upon  asking  him  what 
it  meant,  he  told  me  that  upon  running  a  random 
line,  he  stopped  to  correct  the  error  at  the  half  mile 
corner,  and  that  his  men  on  getting  to  the  mile  cor 
ner,  instead  of  coming  back  and  reporting  the  error 
as  they  should  have  done,  started  for  camp.  He,  of 
course,  followed  on,  as  he  could  not  do  anything 
alone. 

at  once  called  his  party  of  men,  told  them  to 
get  'heir  chain  and  pins,  put  the  stakes,  pickaxe  and 
shovJ  on  the  line  animal,  and  follow  me.  This  they 
did.  When  we  got  to  the  corner  where  Biddleman 
left  off  work,  I  set  my  instrument,  gave  them  an 
object  to  run  by,  and  sent  them  off.  They  went  and 
returned  to  me.  I  then  ran  another  mile  north,  set 
my  instrument  and  started  them  east  again  on  ran 
dom.  They  went  and  I  followed  them  to  the  half 
mile  corner,  to  which  place  they  returned. 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          303 

I  said :  "  Boys,  we  will  now  go  to  camp.  In 
future  whether  with  me  or  Biddleman,  you  will  con 
tinue  at  your  work  until  you  are  directed  to  return." 

Plad  I  allowed  either  of  the  above  transactions 
to  have  passed  unpunished,  I  might  as  well  have 
started  for  the  States,  for  all  order  would  have  been 
at  an  end. 

Sometimes  we  would  see  a  small  party  of  Indians 
at  a  short  distance  from  us.  I  would  step  to  my 
instrument,  and  turn  the  glass  towards  them.  They 
would  at  once  commence  to  scamper,  throw  sand, 
turn  into  all  manner  of  shapes,  lie  down,  roll  over, 
thinking  no  doubt  it  was  a  gun  or  something  that 
would  destroy  them.  At  one  time,  I  attempted  to 
cross  from  the  sink  of  the  Mohave  river  to  Provi 
dence,  some  sixty  miles,  expecting  to  find  water  at 
Washburn's  well.  This  was  a  hole  which  I  after 
wards  found  dug  down  about  ten  feet  in  the  white 
sand  that  covers  this  desert. ,  On  this  sand  not  any 
thing  grows,  but  musquit  bush,  which  bears  a  bean 
that  the  Indians  eat. 

After  travelling  to  within  twelve  miles  of  the 
mountain,  my  animals  and  my  men  all  gave  out. 
We  did  not  have  a  drop  of  water,  and  my  chart  said 
that  there  was  none  short  of  the  mountain.  I  told  the 
boys  that  evening  was  coming  on,  and  I  would  take 
some  leather  bottles  we  had  and  go  and  get  some 


304  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

water  as  quickly  as  I  could.  So  just  before  dark,  I 
started  with  bottles  enough  to  hold  twenty  quarts. 
I  had  a  trail  to  follow  in  the  dark,  not  over  a  foot  in 
width.  After  what  seemed  to  me  the  longest  twelve 
miles  I  ever  travelled,  I  arrived  at  the  mountain. 
After  following  the  ravine  through  the  top,  I  found 
the  spring,  drank  heartily,  filled  my  bottles,  and 
started  on  my  return  trip.  I  arrived  at  the  place 
where  I  had  left  my  men,  just  as  the  day  was  break 
ing.  After  giving  them  a  good  drink,  I  gave  some 
to  each  of  the  animals,  any  one  of  which  would  drink 
from  a  canteen  or  bottle. 

We  then  all  immediately  started  on  towards  the 
mountain,  at  which  place  we  finally  arrived.  When 
within  about  fifty  yards  of  the  spring,  I  saw  a  small 
party  of  Indians  camped  just  above  it.  One  of  them, 
the  chief,  stepped  forward,  and  in  Spanish  ordered 
me  to  stop.  And  here  let  me  say,  that  almost  all  of 
the  Indians,  especially  their  chiefs,  can  talk  Spanish. 
When  he  ordered  me  to  stop,  I  burst  out  into  a 
laugh,  and  asked  him  "  what  for.''  My  boys  in  the 
meantime  were  preparing  for  a  fight.  I  told  them 
to  put  up  their  weapons,  as  I  did  not  wish  to  com 
mence  fighting  the  Indians  here,  as  there  were  lots 
of  them,  and  we  had  a  good  deal  of  work  to  do  in 
that  vicinity.  Though  we  might  kill  or  capture  all  of 
this  party,  a  larger  band  might  attack  us  in  the 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          305 

future.  So  I  told  the  boys  that  if  they  would  keep 
still,  I  would  bother  the  Indians  a  little,  and  then  let 
them  go.  This  was  agreed  to.  Upon  my  asking 
the  chief  what  for,  he  said, 

"This  water  belongs  to  the  Indians.'5 

I  replied,  "  Do  you  call  yourselves  Indians  ?  You 
are  nothing  but  squaws  and  papooses.  I  was  here 
last  night,  and  got  water  under  your  very  noses,  and 
you  did  not  know  it." 

"  The  white  captain,"  the  chief  replied,  "  talks 
with  two  tongues.  He  lies." 

"  You  are  the  one  that  lies,"  I  rejoined.  "  Has 
the  chief  lost  his  eyesight  ?  Is  he  so  old  that  he  can 
not  see  the  white  man's  trail?  Let  him  come 
forward  and  meet  his  white  brother  alone,  and  he 
will  show  him  his  trail." 

He  at  once  advanced  as  I  did  myself.  We  shook 
hands.  I  pointed  out  my  last  night's  trail.  He  saw  it 
at  once,  and  turning  to  his  companions,  said  to  them, 

"  The  white  captain  has  told  the  truth." 

So  we  shook  hands  all  around.  I  gave  them 
some  hard  bread,  also  some  bacon,  and  we  had  a 
good  time  generally  all  day  resting  at  this  spring. 
At  nightfall  they  all  departed,  as  silently  as  shadows, 
leaving  us  in  full  possession  of  the  spring  of  water. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
Recollections  of  Mountain  Life. 

Position  of  The  Spring. — The  Cache. — Kit  Carson's  Character  and 
Appearance. — Cool  Bravery  of  a  Mountain  Trapper. — Untamed 
Character  of  Many  Hunters. — The  Surveyor's  Camp  in  an  In 
dian  Territory. — Terrors  from  Indians. — Joe  Walker. — A  Moun 
tain  Man.— Soda  Lake. — Optical  Illusion. — Camp  on  Beaver 
Lake. — The  Piyute  Chief.  Conversation  with  Him. — An  alarm. 
—A  Battle. 

MR.  GOODYEAR  in  his  interesting  narrative  contin 
ues  :  Here  let  me  speak  a  word  or  two  about  water. 
The  springs,  as  a  general  thing,  are  found  near  the 
summit  of  the  mountains.  In  some  cases  I  have  had 
to  pack  the  water  a  distance  of  forty  miles,  for 
months  at  a  time.  From  a  lake  where  it  bubbled  up 
from  the  bottom  as  warm  as  you  would  like  to  hold 
your  hand  in,  the  process  of  evaporation  in  the  leath 
er  bottles  rendered  it  soon,  almost  as  cool  as  ice 
water. 

Let  us  now  return  to  our  first  camping-ground  on 
the  Mohave  river.  Here  I  cached  or  buried  for  con 
cealment,  some  of  my  provisions,  to  relieve  the  ani 
mals  of  their  heavy  load.  If  Mr.  Indian  does  not 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          307 

find  the  cache,  it  will  be  all  right  on  our  return.  I 
will  explain  how  we  do  it.  First,  then,  we  send  out 
two  or  three  men  as  scouts,  to  see  if  they  can  dis 
cover  any  signs  of  Indians,  such  as  footprints  or  trail, 
or  smoke,  or  anything  of  that  kind.  Men  that  are 
used  to  it,  can  distinguish  between  the  footprints  of 
an  Indian  and  a  white  man.  They  can  also,  at  a 
long  distance  off,  tell  an  Indian  fire  from  a  white 
man's. 

Any  mountaineer  can  tell  by  the  trail,  how  long 
since  persons  have  passed,  the  number  of  the  party, 
as  well  as  the  number  of  animals.  An  Indian,  when 
he  makes  a  fire,  uses  half  a  dozen  little  sticks  as  big 
as  your  thumb,  and  very  dry,  and  all  the  smoke  the 
fire  makes,  will  ascend  straight  up  in  one  steady  col 
umn.  The  white  man  will  use,  if  he  is  a  novice,  the 
dry  to  kindle  with,  and  then  he  will  chuck  on  the 
wet  wood,  which  will  cause  a  great  smoke. 

But  to  return  to  my  cache.  I  keep  out  my  scouts 
all  the  time  we  are  to  work.  "  Boys,  get  your  shov 
els,  and  dig  a  hole  about  four  or  five  feet  deep,  by 
ten  feet  in  length.  Put  a  lot  of  wood  or  branches  in 
the  bottom.  In  with  the  provisions,  canvas  over 
the  top,  or  more  bushes.  Cover  over  all  with  earth. 
Then  take  ashes  from  previous  fires,  and  scatter  over 
the  top  ;  then  build  fires  over  them,  so  as  to  dry  the 
sand. 


308  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

It  was  here  in  this  camp  that  I  first  met  Chris 
topher  Carson,  or  Kit  Carson,  as  he  was  called.  From 
his  wide  acquaintance  with  the  Indians  on  both  sides 
of  the  Rocky  mountains ;  from  his  personal  knowl 
edge  of  the  many  tribes  of  the  red  men;  from  his* 
bravery  under  all  circumstances  in  which  he  has 
been  placed,  Kit  Carson  stands  at  the  head  of  all  the 
hardy  pioneers  of  the  Great  West.  It  is  now  more 
than  twenty  years,  since  I  first  met  him  on  the  Mo- 
have  river,  about  eighty  miles  from  San  Bernar 
dino. 

He  was  accompanied  by  an  American  and  half  a 
dozen  Mexicans  or  half  breeds,  who  were  assisting 
him  to  drive  some  sheep.  As  he  rode  up,  he  saluted 
me  with  Buenos  dias  Senor,  which  means  'good 
day  sir.'  I  answered  the  salutation  in  the  same  lan 
guage,  at  the  same  time  clasping  his  hand  as  he  dis 
mounted,  and  introduced  himself  as  Kit  Carson.  He 
is  about  five  feet  eight  or  nine  inches  high,  and 
weighs  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  pounds.  He 
had  a  round,  jolly  looking  face,  a  dark  piercing  eye, 
that  looked  right  through  you,  and  seemed  to  read 
your  every  thought.  His  long  brown  hair  hung 
around  his  shoulders.  His  dress  consisted  of  buck 
skin  coat  and  pants,  with  leggins  coming  up  to  his 
knees,  and  in  which  he  carried,  in  true  Mexican  style, 
his  Machete  or  long  two-edged  knife 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          309 

His  coat  and  pants  were  heavily  fringed,  in  which 
the  quills  of  the  porcupine  bore  a  conspicuous  part. 
A  cap  of  fox-skin  surmounted  his  head,  with  four 
coon's  tails  sticking  out  around  the  edges  of  the  cap. 
On  his  feet  were  moccasins.  His  never-failing  rifle 
was  strapped  to  his  back,  as  also  a  powder-horn  and 
bullet-pouch,  which  latter  contained  bullets,  lead 
and  moulds.  Around  his  waist  there  was  a  heavy 
belt,  which  was  fastened  by  a  large,  highly  polished 
silver  buckle.  Attached  to  the  belt,  were  a  pair  of 
revolvers  and  a  hunting  knife. 

The  noble  steed  by  which  he  stood,  was  gayly 
caparisoned,  in  true  Mexican  style.  In  many  places 
his  trappings  were  covered  with  gold  and  silver.  His 
bridle  also  glittered  with  silver  ornaments  and 
buckles. 

Thus  Kit  Carson  stands  before  you,  the  beau 
ideal  of  a.  mountain  man,  or  trapper,  always  ready  to 
help  every  one  in  distress,  or  to  avenge  an  injury, 
and  no  matter  what  the  odds,  would  fight  to  the 
death,  believing  that  if  he  went  under,  fighting  for 
his  friends,  it  was  all  right. 

Kit  Carson  was  a  host  in  himself.  It  is  my  be 
lief  that  he  was  feared,  singly  and  alone,  more  than 
any  other  trapper  in  the  Indian  country.  For  my 
own  part,  in  an  Indian  fight,  many  a  one  of  which  I 
have  been  in,  I  would  rather  have  Carson  than 


310  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

twenty  common  men.  His  name  struck  terror  to  an 
Indian.  And  if  it  were  known  that  Kit,  with  a  com 
panion  or  two,  was  on  their  trail,  they  would  flee 
faster  than  they  would  from  a  whole  regiment  of 
Uncle  Sam's  men.  If  Kit  was  after  them,  they 
might  as  well  commence  their  death  song  at  once, 
and  prepare  for  their  happy  hunting  grounds,  for  he 
would  surely  catch  them  any  where  this  side  of  that. 

But  I  must  not  forget  the  names  of  other  brave 
trappers,  with  whom  I  became  acquainted,  and  who 
often  shared  with  me  my  camp  in  the  Indian  country, 
such  as  Peg  Leg  Smith,  Joseph  Walker,  and  a  host 
of  other  brave  men.  I  will  here  tell  you  how  Smith 
got  his  name  of  Peg  Leg. 

Thirty  years  ago,  he  and  some  of  his  companions 
were  trapping  in  the  Indian  country.  They  had 
made  a  hut  in  a  ravine.  For  a-camping  place,  it  was 
so  well  concealed,  that  for  a  long  time  they  were  un 
disturbed.  One  day,  however,  Smith  and  three  or 
four  of  his  party  were  discovered  by  Indians,  about 
two  miles  from  camp.  A  fight  took  place,  in  which 
Smith  was  struck  by  a  rifle  ball,  that  shattered  the 
bone  below  the  knee.  He  fell,  and  during  the 
melee  managed  to  crawl  into  a  thicket,  unobserved 
either  by  the  Indians  or  his  own  men.  Here,  after 
tying  up  his  own  leg  with  buckskin  thongs  which  he 
cut  from  his  hunting  shirt,  he  very  coolly  and  delib- 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF  MOUNTAIN  LIFE.          3! I 

erately  went  to  work  with  his  own  knife,  and  cut  his 
own  leg  off.  After  this  he  crawled  to  his  camp, 
where  he  found  his  companions  who  supposed  he 
was  dead,  and  who  were  expecting  the  next  morn 
ing  to  go  and  find  his  body. 

This  is  said  to  be  a  true  story,  and  who  of  thoes 
who  were  in  California  twenty  years  ago,  do  not  re 
member  Peg  Leg  Smith  and  his  horse  John.  He 
would  come  into  San  Francisco,  or  Benicia,  riding 
like  the  wind,  his  long  grey  hair  floating  about  his 
shoulders,  and  then  that  never-to-be-forgotten  war- 
whoop  !  And  now  here  in  Benicia,  he  dashes  up  to 
the  Vallejos  hotel. 

"John,"  he  says  to  his  horse,  "down  sir,  quick. 
I'm  mighty  dry."  Down  goes  the  horse ;  old  Peg 
gets  off.  "  Boys,  how  are  you.  I  say  there,"  address 
ing  the  bar  tender,  "  make  me  a  whiskey  toddy.'' 

This  is  done  at  once.  No  pay  is  expected.  No 
one  expects  Peg  Leg  Smith  to  pay  for  any  thing, 
where  he  is  known. 

Most  of  these  men  possessed  many  noble  im 
pulses,  and  would  prove  true  to  the  death  for  their 
friends.  But  they  considered  the  killing  of  an  In 
dian  as  justifiable,  whenever  they  met  with  one. 

I  was  at  this  time  at  work  under  Colonel  Jack 
Hayes,  of  Texas.  Every  one  familiar  with  the  his 
tory  of  that  State  in  its  infancy,  will  remember  him 


312  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

as  an  old  Indian  fighter.  He  was  one  who  never 
turned  his  back  on  friend  or  foe.  At  this  time,  he 
was  United  States  Surveyor-General  of  California. 

Some  may  like  to  know  how  we  camp  in  an  In 
dian  country.  I  will  give  a  brief  description  of  our 
camp.  First  our  pack  saddles  are  placed  in  a  circle, 
enclosing  a  pretty  large  space.  Our  provisions  and 
goods  are  then  stored  inside  of  the  circle.  Our  ani 
mals  are  picketed  at  our  heads,  the  pack  saddles  serv 
ing  as  pillows,  and  our  feet  being  towards  the  centre 
of  the  circle.  When  there  is  danger  to  be  appre 
hended,  the  animals  are  placed  within  the  circle. 
But  ordinarily,  they  graze  to  the  extent  of  their 
picket  ropes  upon  the  rich  grass  outside.  Generally 
inside  the  circle  there  is  a  rousing  fire.  Those  of  us 
who  are  not  on  guard,  lie  down  in  our  blankets,  feet 
towards  the  fire.  Our  rifles  are  placed  in  the  hollow 
of  the  left  arm ;  our  revolvers  at  our  back,  ready  for 
instant  use.  The  sky  is  our  covering,  the  earth  our 
support.  The  guard  patrols  on  the  outside  the  cir 
cle,  outside  the  horses.  We  go  to  sleep  to  dream  of 
home  and  friends,  and  often  to  be  awakened  by  the 
quick  sharp  bark  of  the  cayote,  the  howling  of  the 
grey  wolf,  or  what  is  far  worse,  the  almost  infernal 
war-whoop  of  the  Indian. 

My  orders  to  each  man,  in  case  of  an  attack,  were 
not  to  rise.  The  guard  also,  as  they  came  inside  the 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF  MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          313 

circle  of  pack  saddles,  were  to  throw  themselves  flat 
on  the  ground.  Those  that  were  in  their  blankets 
were  to  roll  over  on  their  stomachs,  and  then  when 
they  saw  an  Indian  to  '  blaze  away.'  When  we  were 
on  the  line  and  expected  trouble,  we  would  build  a 
fire  and  at  dark,  after  supper,  move  away  slowly  for 
one  or  two  miles,  and  lie  down  without  any  fires, 
and  in  this  way  cheat  Mr.  Indian. 

Sometimes  after  working  all  day  we  were  obliged 
to  fight  for  our  lives  all  the  latter  part  of  the  night ; 
for  this  is  the  time  which  the  Indian  chooses  for  his 
fighting,  as  a  general  rule.  Notwithstanding  these 
apparent  drawbacks,  I  must  say  that  the  life  of  a 
mountain  man  or  trapper,  had  ever  indescribable 
charms  Yor  me. 

And  now  in  conclusion,  let  me  give  you  an 
account  of  my  last  Indian  fight,  which  happened  in 
the  year  1859,  on  the  Colorado  river,  near  what  is 
now  called  Fort  Mohave.  At  that  time  the  Indians 
in  that  region  had  seen  but  few  white  men,  and  they 
had  obtained  but  about  half  a  dozen  old  guns.  I, 
having  surveyed  a  large  portion  of  the  country 
previously,  was  chosen  to  act  as  guide  to  Colonel 
Hoffman,  who  was  to  be  escorted  by  fifty  dragoons 
from  Fort  Tejou,  near  Los  Angelos,  to  Fort  Yuma. 
I,  not  then  being  acquainted  with  the  country  upon 
the  Colorado  river  down  to  the  fort,  the  celebrated 


3*4 


CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 


scout  and  trapper  Joe  Walker,  was  to  go  with  us,  to 
act  as  guide  after  we  had  passed  through  that  por 
tion  of  the  country  with  which  I  was  acquainted. 

Joe  was  a  tall,  large  man,  six  feet  high  and  weigh 
ing  over  two  hundred  pounds.  We  slept  together 
in  the  same  blankets,  and  many  a  night  have  I  laid 
awake,  listening  to  his  stories  of  fights  with  the 
Indians  and  his  hair-breadth  escapes. 

I  shall  pass  rapidly  over  our  journey  across  the 
mountains  and  along  the  valley  of  the  Mohave 
river.  Away  we  go  across  Soda  Lake,  which  is  dry, 
and  the  surface  of  which  as  far  northward  as  the  eye 
can  extend,  is  covered  with  saleratus,  white  as  the 
driven  snow.  If  you  should  see  at  a  distance  any 
thing  coming  towards  you,  it  would  seem  to  ap 
proach  bottom  upwards  ;  if  an  animal,  the  feet  would 
be  in  the  air. 

But  on  we  go  to  the  Granite  springs,  thence  we 
pass  on  to  Piyute  Creek.  Slowly  we  ascend  the 
mountains  from  which  we  are  to  descend  to  the 
Colorado  river.  Colonel  Hoffman  orders  a  halt,  for 
the  smoke  of  Indian  fires  is  seen  ascending  for  miles 
along  the  banks  of  the  majestic  river.  Having  got 
all  things  prepared  for  either  peace  or  war,  we  march 
down  into  the  valley.  The  Indians  have  un 
doubtedly  caught  sight  of  us,  for  suddenly  the 
smoke  disappears,  all  the  fires  apparently  being  ex- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF   MOUNTAIN   LIFE.          315 

tinguished.  We  press  on  and  soon  reach  the  banks 
of  the  river. 

Following  down  the  stream  a  mile  or  two,  the 
colonel  searches  for  a  good  spot  for  a  camping- 
ground.  As  we  are  on  the  move,  all  mounted,  well 
armed  and  in  military  array,  about  thirty  Indians 
showed  themselves.  Moving  cautiously  at  first,  they 
gradually  became  emboldened  and  ran  along  our 
lines  asking  sundry  questions.  But  we  returned  no 
answers.  Having  selected  the  spot  for  camping- 
ground,  we  lay  out  our  camp  in  the  form  of  a  triangle. 
On  the  one  side  is  a  bluff  from  six  to  ten  feet  high, 
on  the  opposite  side  is  a  lake  called  Beaver  Lake, 
about  five  hundred  yards  wide.  Here,  upon  the  rich 
grass  which  borders  the  lake,  we  tether  our  animals, 
each  one  having  the  range  of  a  rope  about  thirty 
feet  long.  Here  we  considered  them  safe,  as  the 
Indians  would  hardly  attempt  to  attack  them.  It 
was  early  in  the  month  of  January,  1859. 

The  third  side  of  our  triangle  was  a  dry  swamp, 
covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  willow  bushes.  By 
order  of  the  colonel,  these  bushes  were  cut  down 
for  a  distance  of  sixty  or  eighty  yards,  so  that  no  foe 
could  approach  unseen.  By  four  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon,  the  labor  of  establishing  our  camp  was  com 
pleted.  At  some  distance  from  us  there  was  a  large 
and  constantly  increasing  band  of  Indians,  curiously 


3l6  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

watching  our  proceedings.  They  were  all  well 
armed  with  their  native  weapons  of  lances,  bows  and 
arrows. 

As  I  was  talking  in  one  part  of  the  camp  with 
Joe  Walker,  Colonel  Hoffman  approached  us  and 
said, 

"  I  want  one  of  you  to  go  and  have  a  talk  with 
the  Indians." 

<c  Very  well  sir,".  I  replied,  and  turning  to  Joe, 
added,  "  will  you  go,  or  shall  I  ? '* 

"You  had  better  go,  I  guess," Joe  replied. 

I  at  once  set  out  towards  the  Indians,  and  when 
I  arrived  within  speaking  distance,  hailed  them  in 
Spanish,  saying  that  I  wished  to  see  their  chief  and  to 
have  a  talk.  I  had  left  my  rifle  in  the  camp,  but  still 
had  my  revolvers,  and  my  knife.  A  young  fellow, 
tall,  of  splendid  proportions,  and  one  of  the  fiercest 
looking  Indians  I  ever  saw,  stepped  out  towards  me, 
with  his  bows  and  arrows.  He  was  entirely  naked 
except  his  breach  clout  and  a  small  plaid  shawl  thrown 
over  his  shoulders.  The  ends  were  fastened  down  by 
a  piece  of  black  tape.  On  this  tape  was  strung  a 
pair  of  common  shears,  apparently  as  an  ornament. 

His  color  was  like  a  new  piece  of  copper,  clear, 
brilliant  and  exceedingly  beautiful,  like  one  of  the 
most  majestic  statues  in  shining  bronze.  "  How  do 
you  do  ?  "  said  he,  in  Spanish,  as  he  approached  me 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN   LIPE.          317 

and  held  out  his  hand.  I  took  his  hand,  returning 
the  salutation  in  the  same  language. 

"  Why  do  you  come  here  ? ''  he  then  promptly 
said.  "  This  is  our  country.  We  have  nothing  to 
give  you,  for  yourselves  or  your  horses." 

I  gave  him  some  tobacco  in  token  of  good  will, 
and  then  replied  :  "  We  have  come  to  look  at  the 
country.  We  do  not  wish  you  to  give  us  anything. 
If  you  are  friendly,  we  shall  give  you  presents.  If 
you  attack  us,  we  shall  kill  you."  I  then  added : 
"  Some  of  the  Indians  of  this  country  massacred  a 
party  only  a  year  ago.  We  shall  have  no  more 
killed  by  them.  We  shall  build  a  fort  here,  to  pro 
tect  our  emigrants." 

He  replied  a  little  angrily,  "  I  am  a  Mohave. 
My  people  own  this  country.  I  shall  kill  whoever  I 
please/'  I  had  not  any  doubt  that  the  shawl  and 
the  shears  came  from  the  party  they  had  massacred. 
I  pointed  to  the  shawl  and  said : 

"  Where  did  you  get  that?'' 

"  I  bought  them,"  he  replied,  evidently  annoyed. 
"  I  bought  them  from  the  Piute  Indians." 

"  My  brother,''  I  replied,  "  does  not  talk  with  a 
straight  tongue.  It  is  forked,  and  his  words  are 
crooked.''  He  now  added,  with  considerable 
warmth : 

"  Go  to  your  own  camp,  and  prepare  for  war,     I 


318  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

will  not  kill  you.  Your  guns  are  short.  I  will  take 
your  horses,  and  my  men  shall  have  a  big  feast 
Your  horses  are  fat  and  good.  I  have  many  men 
many  braves.  You  have  but  few.  Go  to  your  camp 
and  prepare  for  war.'' 

"  Indian,"  said  I,  "  I  go,  but  remember  that  our 
short  guns  kill  an  Indian  every  time.  We  never 
stop  to  load  them.'' 

I  turned  to  go  back  to  the  camp.  It  is  not  eti 
quette  on  such  an  occasion  to  back  out,  watching  your 
opponent,  as  though  you  were  a  coward  and  feared 
an  attack.  I  turned  squarely  round,  with  my  back 
to  the  Indian,  when  I  saw  the  boys  at  the  fort  sud 
denly  raise  their  rifles  with  their  muzzles  directed  to 
wards  us.  At  that  moment,  an  arrow  whizzed 
through  my  buckskin  shirt,  just  making  a  flesh  wound 
on  the  shoulder.  I  had  slightly  turned  as  the  arrow 
left  the  bow,  otherwise  I  should  probably  have  re 
ceived  my  death-wound.  Instantly,  with  my  revol 
ver  already  in  my  hand,  I  discharged  in  quick  succes 
sion,  two  shots  at  the  savage,  who  was  distant  but  a 
few  feet  from  me.  The  first  bullet  broke  his  arm ; 
the  second  passed  through  his  heart.  I  instantly 
seized  the  shawl  and  shears  and  taking  a  little  of  his 
hair  to  remember  him  by,  started  on  a  jump  towards 
our  men,  who  were  rushing  towards  me  as  fast  as 
possible.  The  arrows  flew  so  thick  and  fast,  that 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF  MOUNTAIN  LIFE.          319 

you  would  have  thought  it  was  hailing.  Night  soon 
came  on,  and  the  Indians  retired,  probably  to  get  re 
cruits  and  to  renew  the  battle  in  the  morning  with 
the  certainty  of  our  destruction.  We  doubled  our 
guard  for  the  night,  during  which  I  was  awakened 
but  once.  Joe  Walker  and  I  slept  together.  So 
much  used  were  we  both  to  such  little  affairs,  that  I 
do  not  believe  we  should  have  awakened  at  all,  had 
we  not  been  called. 

About  twelve  o'clock,  a  sentry  came  to  where  we 
were  sleeping,  and  touching  me,  said  : 

"  Guide,  I  believe  there  is  an  Indian  creeping  up 
behind  a  bush."  Joe  says,  "  Bill,  get  up  and  see 
what  it  is.  My  eyes  are  not  as  good  in  the  night  as 
yours." 

So  out  of  my  blanket  I  got,  grabbed  my  revolver 
and  went  towards  the  bluff.  The  sentinel  accom 
panying  me,  pointed  out  the  bush.  I  did  not  like  to 
fire  into  it,  lest  I  should  give  a  false  alarm.  I  watch 
ed  it  about  ten  minutes,  and  there  was  not  the  least 
movement.  "  I  guess,"  I  said,  "  it  is  nothing  but  a 
bush."  But  at  that  moment,.!  perceived  a  very 
slight  agitation  of  the  branches.  It  proved  that 
there  must  be  somebody  there. 

"  Oho !  Mr.  Indian,"  I  exclaimed,  "  at  your  old 
tricks.  I  raised  my  revolver,  took  deliberate  aim  at 
the  very  heart  of  the  bush,  and  fired.  Mr.  Indian 


320  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

gave  a  hideous  yell,  and  he  had  gone  to  his  happy 
hunting  grounds.  In  the  morning,  we  prepared  to 
leave.  The  Indians,  as  we  afterwards  learned,  had 
fifteen  hundred  warriors  within  a  radius  of  five  miles. 
We  numbered  but  about  fifty  men.  But  we  had 
rifles,  they  had  only  bows  and  arrows.  The  superi 
ority  of  our  arms  raised  us  above  all  fear. 

It  was  manifest  however,  with  the  earliest  dawn, 
from  the  large  number  of  warriors  assembled,  and 
the  menacing  cries  they  raised,  that  we  must  have  a 
fight.  Colonel  Hoffman  detached  every  fourth  man, 
each  one  to  hold  four  horses.  The  rest  of  the  drag 
oons  were  marshalled  on  the  bluff,  which  as  I  have 
mentioned,  lined  one  side  of  our  encampment.  As 
our  rifles  could  throw  a  bullet  more  than  twice  as  far 
as  any  arrow  could  be  thrown,  the  battle  was  rather 
a  source  of  amusement  to  us,  than  of  terror.  No  In 
dian  could  approach  within  arrow  shot  of  our  ranks, 
without  meeting  certain  death.  It  must  be  confessed 
that  we  had  no  more  compunctions  in  shooting  an 
Indian  than  in  shooting  a  bear  or  a  wolf.  As  they 
dodged  from  tree  to  tree,  assailing  us  with  their  im 
potent  arrows,  our  keen  marksmen  watched  their 
opportunity  to  strike  them  down  with  the  invisible 
death-dealing  bullet. 

Old  Joe  Walker  practiced  with  our  Hawkins' 
rifles  and  revolvers,  as  he  said,  "just  to  keep  his 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF   MOUNTAIN   LIFE.  321 

hand  in."  After  an  hour  or  two  of  this  strange  bat 
tle,  in  which  the  Indians  suffered  fearful  carnage, 
and  we  encountered  no  loss,  our  foe  in  rage  and  de 
spair  retired.  They  left  sixty  of  their  number  dead, 
besides  taking  with  them  many  wounded.  We  con 
tinued  our  march  without  further  molestation. 

And  now  my  friend,  if  you  shall  find  anything  in 
teresting  to  you  in  this  short  sketch,  I  shall  be  satis 
fied.  I  have  written  a  great  deal  more  than  I  ex 
pected  to  write,  when  I  began.  And  yet  you  have 
but  a  very  brief  narrative  of  my  adventures  in  Cali 
fornia. 

Yours  truly, 

(signed)  WILLIAM  E.  GOODYEAR. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Frontier  Desperadoes  and  Savage  Ferocity. 

Original  Friendliness  of  the  Indians. — The  River  Pirates,  Culbert  and 
Magilbray. — Capture  of  Beausoliel. — His  Rescue  by  the  Negro 
Cacasotte. — The  Cave  in  the  Rock. — The  Robber  Mason. — His 
Assassination. — Fate  of  the  Assassins. — Hostility  of  the  Apaches. 
Expedition  of  Lieutenant  Davidson. — Carson's  Testimony  in 
his  Favor. — Flight  of  the  Apaches. 

WE  have  occasionally  alluded  to  the  desperadoes 
who  infested  the  frontiers.  They  were  often  much 
more  to  be  dreaded  than  the  Indians.  Indeed  the 
atrocities  which  these  men  perpetrated  were  the 
main  cause  of  the  hostility  of  the  savages.  It  is  the 
uncontradicted  testimony  that  the  natives  were,  at 
first,  disposed  to  be  friendly.  It  was  only  when  ex 
asperated  by  unendurable  wrongs  that  they  appealed 
to  arms.  When  seemingly  unprovoked  assailants, 
they  were  seeking  revenge  for  some  great  outrage 
which  they  had  already  experienced,  from  the  de 
praved  vagabonds  of  the  wilderness. 

When  St.  Louis  was  under  Spanish  rule,  there 
had  sprung  up  quite  a  brisk  commerce  between  that 
settlement  and  New  Orleans.  But  the  shores  of  the 


FRONTIER   DESPERADOES — SAVAGE  FEROCITY.   323 

majestic  Mississippi  were  then  infested  by  large 
bands  of  robbers,  watching  to  attack  and  plunder 
boats,  as  they  ascended  and  descended  the  stream. 
There  were  two  leaders  of  one  of  these  large  bands,  by 
the  name  of  Culbert  and  Magilbray,  who,  occupying 
commanding  points,  were  carrying  on  a  regular  sys 
tem  of  river  piracy. 

In  the  year  1739,  a  merchant  by  the  name  of 
Beausoliel,  had  sailed  from  New  Orleans,  in  a  barge 
richly  freighted  with  goods,  bound  for  St.  Louis. 
The  robbers,  pushing  out  from  the  shore  in  their 
light  canoes,  and  well  armed,  captured  the  boat  with 
out  a  struggle.  They  ordered  the  owner  and  the 
crew  into  the  little  cabin  and  fastened  them  in. 

There  was  a  negro  on  board,  a  very  remarkable 
man,  by  the  name  of  Cacasotte.  Though  carved  in 
ebony,  he  had  great  beauty  of  countenance,  and 
wonderful  grace  and  strength  of  person.  His  native, 
mental  endowments  were  also  of  a  high  order.  This 
man,  Cacasotte,  as  soon  as  the  barge  was  taken,  as 
sumed  to  be  greatly  overjoyed.  He  danced,  sang 
and  laughed,  declaring  that  he  would  no  longer  live 
in  irksome  slavery,  but  that  he  would  join  the  band, 
and  enjoy  liberty  among  the  freebooters  as  their 
attendant. 

He  was  so  jovial,  and  so  attentive,  in  anticipating 
aU  their  wants,  that  he  won  their  confidence,  and 


324  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

they  all  thought  that  he  would  be  a  valuable  addi 
tion  to  their  company.  He  was  thus  permitted  to 
roam  over  the  boat,  unmolested  and  unwatched. 
He  formed  a  plan  in  all  its  details,  for  the  recapture 
of  the  boat,  and  the  liberation  of  the  crew.  This 
plan  he  succeeded  in  communicating  to  his  master. 
Mr.  Beausoliel  had  his  earthly  all  in  the  boat,  and  he 
also  expected  that  the  pirates  would  take  their  lives. 
He  was  therefore  ready  to  adopt  any  plan,  however 
desperate,  which  gave  any  promise  of  success.  We 
have  the  following  account  given  in  "  The  Great 
West,"  of  the  plan  the  negro  formed  and  of  its  suc 
cessful  accomplishment. 

"  Cacasotte  was  cook,  and  it  was  agreed,  between 
him  and  his  fellow  conspirators,  likewise  too  negroes, 
that  the  signal  for  dinner  should  also  be  the  signal 
for  action.  When  the  hour  arrived,  the  robbers  as 
sembled  in  considerable  numbers  on  the  deck,  and 
stationed  themselves  on  the  bow  and  stern  and 
along  the  sides,  to  prevent  any  rising  of  the  men. 
Cacasotte  went  among  them  with  the  most  uncon 
cerned  demeanor  imaginable.  As  soon  as  his  com 
rades  had  taken  their  assigned  stations  he  placed 
himself  at  the  bow,  near  one  of  the  robbers,  a  stout 
herculean  fellow,  who  was  armed  cap-a-pie.  Caca 
sotte  gave  the  preconcerted  signal,  and  immediately 
the  robber  near  him  was  struggling  in  the  water. 


FRONTIER   DESPERADOES — SAVAGE  FEROCITY.   325 

With  the  speed  of  lightning  he  ran  from  one  robber 
to  another,  as  they  were  sitting  on  the  sides  of  the 
boat  and,  in  a  few  seconds'  time,  had  thrown  several 
of  them  overboard.  Then  seizing  an  oar  he  struck 
on  the  head  those  who  had  attempted  to  save  them 
selves  by  grappling  the  running  boards.  He  then 
shot  with  rifles,  which  had  been  dropped  on  deck, 
those  who  attempted  to  swim  away.  In  the  mean 
time  his  companions  had  done  almost  as  much  exe 
cution  as  their  leader.'' 

Thus  every  one  of  these  robbers  found  a  watery 
grave.  Mr.  Beausoleil  had  his  property  restored  to 
him,  and  pressing  all  sail  went  on  his  way  rejoicing.  . 

A  few  years  after  this,  about  the  year  1800,  there 
was  a  noted  robber  named  Mason,  who  occupied 
what  is  called,  "  The  Cave  in  the  Rock.''  This 
renowned  cavern  was  about  twenty  miles  below  the 
Wabash  river.  Its  entrance  was  but  a  few  feet 
above  high  water-mark,  and  opened  into  a  very 
remarkable  chamber,  two  hundred  feet  long,  eighty 
feet  wide  and  twenty-five  feet  high.  Throughout 
the  whole  central  length  the  floor  was  quite  level, 
and  on  each  side  of  this  central  aisle  the  sides  rose 
in  tiers,  like  the  seats  of  an  amphitheatre. 

This  remarkable  cave  is  connected  with  another 
a  little  above.  Here  this  Mason,  a  man  of  gigantic 
stature,  and  of  inferior  education  and  intellect,  had 


326  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

his  concealed  retreat,  with  two  sons  and  several 
other  desperadoes,  organized  into  a  band  of  land 
and  water  pirates.  With  great  skill  they  prosecuted 
their  robberies,  plundering  boats  as  they  descended 
the  river,  but  more  often  watching  the  return  boats, 
to  rob  the  owners  of  the  money  which  they  had 
received  from  the  sale  of  their  cargoes. 

As  the  population  of  the  Ohio  valley  increased, 
Mason  deemed  it  expedient  to  abandon  the  Cave  in 
the  Rock  and  established  himself  with  his  gang,  on 
a  well  known  and  much  frequented  trail  called  the 
Nashville  and  the  Natches  Trace.  Here  his  gang 
became  the  terror  of  the  whole  travelling  community. 
Sometimes,  with  his  whole  band  decorated  in  the 
most  gaudy  style  of  Indian  warriors,  with  painted 
faces,  and  making  the  forest  resound  with  hideous  yells, 
they  would  swoop  down  upon  a  band  of  travellers, 
inflicting  outrages  which  savages  could  not  exceed. 

The  atrocities  of  which  this  desperate  gang  were 
guilty,  at  length  became  so  frequent  and  daring, 
accompanied  with  the  most  brutal  murders,  that 
Governor  Claiborne,  of  the  Mississippi  Territory, 
offered  a  large  reward  for  the  capture  of  Mason  dead 
or  alive.  But  the  wilderness  of  prairie,  forest  and 
mountain  was  very  wide.  Mason  was  familiar  with 
all  its  lurking  places.  For  a  long  time  he  baffled  all 
the  efforts  of  the  authorities  for  his  capture. 


FRONTIER   DESPERADOES — SAVAGE   FEROCITY.   327 

Treachery  at  last  delivered  him  to  the  hands  of 
justice,  or  rather  brought  his  ignominious  career  to  a 
close,  inflicting  upon  him  the  violent  and  bloody 
death  which  he  had  so  often  inflicted  upon  peaceful 
and  innocent  merchants  and  travellers.  Two  of  his 
own  band,  tempted  by  the  large  reward  which  was 
offered,  and  perhaps  maddened  by  his  tyranny,  for 
he  ruled  his  gang  with  a  rod  of  iron,  conspired  to 
kill  him.  They  watched  their  opportunity  and  one 
day,  as  Mason  was  counting  out  the  money  he  had 
just  gained  by  the  robbery  of  some  merchants,  one 
of  them  advancing  from  behind  him,  struck  a  hatchet 
into  his  brain.  The  accomplices  then  cut  off  his 
head,  and  carried  it  to  the  Governor  at  Washington, 
which  was  the  seat  of  the  Territorial  government. 
They  received  their  reward.  They,  however,  received 
another  reward  which  they  had  not  anticipated. 

The  proclamation  of  the  governor  had  contained 
no  promise  whatever  of  pardon  to  any  of  the  gang. 
These  two  men  were  immediately  arrested,  as  rob 
bers  and  murderers.  They  were  tried,  condemned 
and  hung.  The  robber  band,  thus  deprived  of  its 
leader  and  of  two  of  its  most  desperate  men,  was 
broken  up  and  the  wretches  dispersed,  to  fill  up  the 
measure  of  their  iniquities  in  other  regions. 

But  let  us  again  cross  the  Rocky  mountains,  and 
contemplate  some  of  the  strange  scenes  of  violence 


328  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

and  blood  which  were  occurring  there.  We  have 
mentioned,  that  Kit  Carson  had  been  appointed,  by 
Government  Indian  Commissioner.  This  gave  him 
much  satisfaction,  for  it  was  an  office  he  felt  perfectly 
competent  to  fill.  It  also  was  an  evidence  that,  at 
last,  his  ability  and  services  had  been  appreciated. 
He  at  once  accepted  the  appointment  and  entered 
upon  its  duties. 

He  soon  found  the  office  no  sinecure.  The 
Apaches  began  to  commit  depredations  upon  the 
property  of  the  settlers  in  the  northern  part  of  New 
Mexico.  Some  of  the  citizens  fell  a  sacrifice  to  their 
barbarity.  Mr.  Carson  at  once  sent  Lieutenant  Bell, 
a  United  States  officer,  with  quite  a  force  of  drag 
oons,  in  pursuit  of  them.  Although  the  red  men 
were  quite  willing  to  scalp  peaceful  and  unarmed  cit 
izens,  when  they  found  their  own  ranks  torn  and 
bleeding  by  the  balls  of  their  foes,  and  their  chiefs 
biting  the  dust  in  the  death  agony,  then  courage 
gave  place  to  terror,  and  flight  became  their  re 
source. 

Not  long  after,  news  came  to  Mr.  Carson  that 
another  insurrection  had  appeared  among  the 
Apaches.  They  were  encamped  about  twenty  miles 
from  Taos,  upon  quite  a  little  ridge  of  mountains. 
Mr.  Carson  proceeded  unattended,  to  their  lodges, 
to  meet  the  chiefs  for  a  friendly  talk.  Having  been 


FRONTIER  DESPERADOES — SAVAGE   FEROCITY.   329 

among  them  for  so  many  years,  he  was  well  known 
by  nearly  all  the  Rocky  mountain  tribes.  Mr.  Car 
son,  by  his  gentle  words  and  his  personal  influence, 
succeeded  in  pacifying  them,  and  obtaining  promises 
of  friendly  relations.  Hardly  had  he  left  their 
lodges,  when  the  treachery  of  the  Indian  became 
manifested  in  new  crimes  and  barbarities.  Carson, 
distrusting  them,  was  not  unprepared ;  but  with  a 
band  of  tried  men  inflicted  such  blows  as  were  not 
soon  forgotten. 

Lieutenant  Davidson  was  not  long  after  this  sent 
with  a  force  of  sixty  United  States  Dragoons,  to  at 
tack  and  dislodge  an  encampment  in  the  mountains. 
They  were  all  men  who  understood  Indian  character 
and  warfare.  Repairing  to  their  fastnesses,  they 
found  the  Indians  well  posted,  and  expecting  a  visit 
from  the  white  men.  Two  hundred  and  more  war 
riors  were  on  the  highest  crags  of  the  hills. 

The  Indian  loves  a  palaver  or  talk ;  and  the 
Lieutenant  sent  one  or  two  men  to  endeavor  to 
settle  affairs  thus  amicably.  But  the  savages,  per 
ceiving  the  inferior  numbers  of  the  white  men,  were 
not  inclined  to  be  communicative,  or  to  listen  to 
peaceful  terms.  Fight,  blood,  scalps,  they  thirsted 
for,  and  those  they  would  have. 

Perceiving  that  no  pacific  measures  would  avail, 
Lieutenant  Davidson  tried  the  effect  of  powder  and 


330  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

lead.  Many  of  the  warriors  fell  dead,  but  the  sava 
ges  were  so  many  and  so  fierce,  that  the  odds  were 
against  the  troops.  In  danger  of  being  surrounded 
and  of  thus  sacrificing  the  whole  of  his  little  army, 
Davidson  decided  to  retreat  down  the  mountains. 
Being  hotly  pursued  he  was  obliged  to  contest  every 
foot  of  his  way.  Trees,  rocks,  stumps  were,  as  usual, 
Indian  breastworks.  With  their  unerring  aim,  they 
laid  low  twenty  of  the  soldiers.  Most  of  the  other 
forty  of  Davidson's  command  were  more  or  less 
severely  wounded.  Bravely  the  poor  fellows  fought, 
though  unsuccessfully.  They  however  escaped  to 
Taos. 

The  people  in  Taos  were  much  distressed,  in 
learning  of  this  disastrous  termination  of  the  battle. 
The  next  day  they  sent  wagons  to  convey  the  re 
mains  of  the  fallen  soldiers  to  a  proper  burial  place. 
On  reaching  the  spot,  they  found  the  inhuman  sav 
ages  had,  as  usual,  mutilated  the  remains  of  every 
one,  and  had  stripped  them  of  their  clothing.  Not 
long  after  several  Apaches  appeared  in  the  streets 
of  a  small  Mexican  settlement,  clad  in  the  garments 
of  the  slain  dragoons,  and  afforded  much  amusement 
to  the  people  by  their  grotesque  appearance,  and 
awkward  endeavors  to  imitate  military  etiquette  and 
courtesy. 

As  is  always  the  case  in  every  military  disaster 


FRONTIER   DESPERADOES — SAVAGE   FEROCITY.  33! 

Lieutenant  Davidson's  conduct  has  been  assailed. 
But  the  evidence  of  the  men  of  his  command  was, 
that  his  coolness  in  difficulty,  his  courage  in  danger, 
and  his  judgment  in  the  retreat  entitle  him  to 
credit,  not  censure.  Mr.  Carson  does  not  justify 
the  unkind  accusations  against  him,  but  says : 

u  I  am  intimately  acquainted  with  Lieutenant 
Davidson,  and  have  been  in  engagements  with  him, 
where  he  has  taken  a  prominent  part,  and  can  testify 
that  he  is  as  brave  and  discreet  as  it  is  possible  for  a 
man  to  be.  Nearly  every  person  engaged  in,  and 
who  survived  that  day's  bloody  battle,  has  since 
told  me,  that  his  commanding  officer  never  once 
sought  shelter,  but  stood  manfully  exposed  to  the 
aim  of  the  Indians,  encouraging  his  men,  and  appa 
rently  unmindful  of  his  own  life.  It  was,  however,  in 
the  retreat  they  say  that  he  acted  the  most  gallantly, 
for  when  every  thing  was  going  badly  with  the  sol 
diers,  he  was  as  cool  and  collected  as  if  under  the 
guns  of  his  fort.  The  only  anxiety  he  exhibited 
was  for  the  safety  of  his  remaining  men." 

The  Apaches  left  the  region  at  once,  wisely  fear 
ing  retribution  at  the  hand  of  their  foes.  Mr.  Carson, 
in  travelling  homeward  from  Santa  Fe,  saw  no  trace 
of  them.  But  their  barbarities  were  not  forgotten 
and  new  and  more  vigorous  measures  were  taken  to 
reduce  them  to  submission. 


332  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

Colonel  Cook  was  appointed  commander  of  this 
new  expedition.  Mr.  Carson  accompanied  him. 
Forty  Mexicans  and  several  Pueblo  Indians  joined 
the  party  under  the  command  of  Mr.  James  H. 
Quinn.  Passing  on  in  a  northerly  direction,  they 
came  to  a  small  river  emptying  into  the  Rio  del 
Norte.  This  was  a  wild  mountain  stream,  swollen 
into  a  foaming  torrent,  by  melting  snows  and  re 
cent  rains.  But  it  must  be  crossed.  It  was  perilous, 
for  the  bed  was  rocky  and  the  current  rapid. 

Carson  took  the  lead,  piloting  over  party  after 
party  in  safety.  Arriving  on  the  shore,  they  found  a 
bold  perpendicular  bluff  several  hundred  feet  high 
confronting  them.  Pursuing  a  zigzag  trail  around 
the  eminence,  the  top  was  at  last  reached,  and  they 
emerged  into  a  rough  country,  broken  by  ravines 
and  hills.  Passing  a  day  at  a  small  Mexican  village, 
they  set  off,  the  next  morning,  in  search  of  the 
Apaches.  Carson's  keen,  quick  eye  caught  the  trail, 
and  rapidly  they  pursued  their  way  for  a  couple  of 
days,  when  they  overtook  the  Indians,  leisurely 
resting  in  one  of  their  small  villages.  The  horses  of 
the  savages  were  fresh,  and  remembering  the  death- 
dealing  rifle  of  the  white  man,  most  of  the  Indians 
saved  themselves  by  flight.  The  steeds  of  the  sol 
diers  were  too  weary  for  pursuit.  Yet  many  Indian 
warriors  were  struck  down  by  the  bullets  of  their  pur- 


FRONTIER  DESPERADOES — SAVAGE   FEROCITY.  333 

suers,  and  the  horses  and  camp  furniture  of  the  sav 
ages,  such  as  it  was,  fell  into  the  hands  of  Colonel 
Cook's  party.  Mr.  Carson  describing  these  events 
says  : 

"  To  Captain  Sykes,  who  commanded  the  in 
fantry,  is  due  the  greatest  amount  of  praise  ,for  the 
part  he  acted  in  our  adventures.  When  his  men 
were  almost  broken  down  with  sore  feet,  long  and 
difficult  marches,  want  of  provisions,  the  coldness  of 
the  weather,  and  with  their  clothing  nearly  worn  out, 
and  when  they  were  on  the  point  of  giving  up  in 
despair,  they  were  prevented  from  so  doing  by  wit 
nessing  the  noble  example  set  them  by  their  captain. 
He  showed  them  what  a  soldier's  duty  really  was, 
and  this  so  touched  their  pride  that  they  hobbled 
along  as  if  determined  to  follow  him  until  death  re 
lieved  them  from  their  sufferings. 

"  Although  this  officer  had  a  riding  animal  at  his 
disposal,  yet  never  for  once  did  he  mount  him  ;  but 
instead  lent  the  horse  to  some  deserving  soldier  who 
was  on  the  point  of  succumbing  to  overwork. 
When  the  Indian  village  was  discovered,  he  cheered 
his  men  from  a  limping  walk  into  a  sort  of  run,  and 
dashing  through  a  swollen  mountain  stream,  which 
was  nearly  up  to  their  armpits,  and  full  of  floating 
ice,  he  was,  with  his  company,  the  foremost  in  the  at 
tack/' 


334  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

Night  put  a  stop  to  the  pursuit.  The  next 
morning,  at  an  early  hour,  Colonel  Cook's  dragoons 
were  again  in  motion,  following,  under  the  guidance 
of  Mr.  Carson,  the  fresh  trail  of  the  routed  Indians. 
On  and  still  on  they  pressed  for  many  weary  leagues, 
through  valleys  and  over  snow-clad  mountains,  until 
they  found  that  it  was  impossible  to  overtake  the  red 
men.  The  sagacious  Indians  broke  up  their  party 
into  small  squads  of  two  and  three  and  scattered  in 
all  directions.  To  continue  the  pursuit  would  be 
like  chasing  "a  flea  upon  the  mountains." 

The  Indians  had  manifested  a  great  deal,  not  of 
cunning  only,  but  of  intelligence  in  their  flight.  It 
was  their  manifest  object  to  lead  their  pursuers 
through  the  most  difficult  paths,  that  both  men  and 
horses  might  be  worn  out  by  the  ruggedness  of  the 
way.  Very  often  they  would  pursue  a  route  so  cir 
cuitous,  through  wild  gorges  and  over  mountain  tor 
rents,  that  Colonel  Cook  would  often  find  himself 
bivouacking  at  night,  but  a  short  distance  from  the 
spot  which  he  had  left  in  the  morning.  The  Indians 
were  perfectly  familiar  with  the  country  and  could 
travel  with  much  greater  ease  than  could  the  white 
men. 

Colonel  Cook,  finding  that  nothing  could  be  ac 
complished  by  the  further  continuance  of  the  pur 
suit,  turned  back  and  sought  a  refuge  for  his  sol- 


FRONTIER  DESPERADOES — SAVAGE  FEROCITY,  335 

diers  from  the  toils  and  hardships  of  their  campaign, 
in  the  little  Mexican  town  of  Abiguire,  about  sixty 
miles  northwest  from  Sante  Fe,  on  a  tributary  of  the 
Rio  del  Norte. 

On  his  march  back,  Colonel  Cook  had  encounter 
ed  and  captured  an  Indian  warrior,  whom  he  sup 
posed  to  be  one  of  the  hostile  Apaches.  The  Indian 
was  deprived  of  his  horse  and  arms,  and  treat 
ed  as  a  captive.  He  made  his  escape.  Afterwards 
it  was  learned  that  he  belonged  to  the  friendly  Utah 
tribe.  Colonel  Cook,  regretting  the  mistake,  and 
fearing  that  it  might  induce  the  Utahs  to  join  the 
Apaches,  very  wisely  decided  to  do  his  duty,  and 
make  an  apology  and  reparation. 

Kit  Carson  was,  of  course,  employed  as  the  am 
bassador  of  peace.  He  sent  an  Indian  runner  to  the 
principal  village  of  the  Utahs,  with  the  request  that 
their  chief  would  hold  a  council  with  him.  They  all 
knew  him,  loved  him,  and  familiarly  called  him 
"  Father  Kit." 

The  council  met,  Mr.  Carson  explained  the  mis 
take  and  expressed  the  deepest  regret,  that  through 
ignorance,  one  of  their  friendly  braves  had  been  cap 
tured,  and  treated  like  an  enemy.  He  assured 
them  of  his  readiness  to  make  ample  reparation  for 
the  wrong. 

"  My  countrymen,''  he  said,  "do  not  wish  to  do 


336  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

you  any  injury.  They  hope  that  you  will  overlook 
this  accident.  They  do  not  ask  this  through  fear. 
The  warriors  of  the  Utah  are  but  a  handful,  when 
compared  with  those  of  their  Great  Father.  But 
they  wish  to  live  with  you  as  brothers.  The  country 
is  large  enough  for  both." 

The  Indians  seemed  ever  ready  to  listen  to  rea 
son.  They  were  satisfied  with  the  explanation,  and 
declared  that  their  hearts  were  no  longer  inimical  to 
their  pale  face  brothers.  Thus  another  Indian  war 
was  averted.  Had  the  Indians  always  been  treated 
with  this  spirit  of  justice  and  conciliation,  humanity 
would  have  been  saved  from  innumerable  woes. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
The  Last  Days  of  Kit  Carson. 

The  Hunting  Party. — Profits  of  Sheep  Raising. — Governmental  Ap 
pointment. — Carson's  Talk  with  the  Apaches. — His  Home  in 
Taos. — His  Character. — Death  of  Christopher  Carson. 

WE  left  Mr.  Carson  at  his  farm  in  Razado.  Af 
ter  a  short  time  he  organized  a  pleasure  hunting- 
party  of  eighteen  of  his  most  highly  esteemed  com 
panions  of  former  years.  It  was  unanimously  voted 
that  the  excursion  should  not  be  one  of  boy's  play 
but  of  man's.  It  was  Carson's  last  trapping  excur 
sion.  Each  trapper  felt  that  he  was  bidding  fare 
well  to  the  streams  and  valleys,  where  in  past  years, 
he  had  encountered  so  many  exciting  adventures. 

"The  boldest  and  one  of  the  longest  routes, 
known  to  their  experienced  footsteps,  was  selected. 
It  comprised  many  of  the  mighty  rivers  of  the  Rocky 
mountains,  every  one  of  which  was  almost  a  hunt 
ing  ground  by  itself.  Onward,  over  the  wild  and 
broad  plains,  this  band  of  stalwart  men,  brave  and 
kindred  spirits,  dashed.  They  soon  put  several  miles 


338  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

between  them  and  the  comfortable  firesides  of  Ra- 
zado. 

"  In  a  short  time  the  well  remembered  waters  of 
the  South  Platte  were  descried.  Their  practiced 
eyes  soon  discovered  the  oft  noted  "  signs  of  the 
beaver."  The  beaver  had  increased  in  great  num 
bers.  The  party  continued  working  down  this 
stream,  through  the  plains  of  Laramie  to  the  New 
Park  ;  and  thence  on  to  the  Old  Park.  They  trap 
ped  a  large  number  of  their  old  streams,  until  finally 
the-  expedition  was  terminated  on  the  Arkansas 
river.  The  hunt  proved  very  successful.  With  a 
large  stock  of  furs,  they  returned  in  safety  to  Raza- 
do,  via  the  Raton  mountains,  which  are  spurs  of  the 
great  Rocky  chain." 

This  expedition  occupied  several  months.  Mr. 
Carson  now  devoted  himself  assiduously  to  farming, 
and  especially  to  raising  flocks  and  herds.  In  Au 
gust,  1853,  he  drove,  aided  by  many  well  armed  at 
tendants,  a  flock  of  six  thousand  five  hundred  sheep 
to  California,  where  he  sold  them  for  five  dollars  and 
fifty  cents  a  head.  His  knowledge  of  the  country 
was  such,  that  he  was  enabled  to  follow  a  route 
which  gave  them  good  pasturage  all  the  way. 

At  San  Francisco,  Kit  Carson  found  himself  an 
object  of  universal  attention.  His  renown  had  pre 
ceded  him.  The  steamboats  gave  him  a  free  pass. 


THE   LAST   DAYS   OF  KIT  CARSON.  339 

All  places  of  amusement  were  open  to  him.  Where- 
ever  he  went  he  was  pointed  out  as  the  man  to 
whom  California  was  under  the  greatest  obligations. 
Still  he  retained  his  modesty  and  integrity  unsul 
lied.  Soon  after  his  return  to  Razado,  he  received 
the  unexpected  and  very  gratifying  intelligence,  that 
he  had  been  appointed  by  the  United  States  Gov 
ernment,  Indian  Agent. 

The  duties  of  this  difficult  and  responsible  office 
he  performed  with  remarkable  wisdom  and  success. 
Whenever  his  counsel  was  followed  it,  was  attended 
with  the  desired  results.  Whenever  it  was  rejected 
disaster  was  sure  to  ensue.  His  knowledge  of  In 
dian  customs  was  such,  that  more  than  once  he  pre 
sented  himself  entirely  alone  at  the  council  fire  of 
exasperated  warriors,  and  urged  upon  them  peace. 
On  one  of  these  occasions  he  learned  that  an  angry 
band  of  Apache  warriors  were  encamped  among  the 
mountains,  but  about  fifty  miles  from  his  home.  He 
knew  the  chiefs.  He  was  familiar  with  their  lan 
guage.  Though  he  knew  that  they  were  in  a  state 
of  great  exasperation,  and  that  they  were  preparing 
to  enter  upon  the  war-path,  he  mounted  his  horse 
and  rode  thither,  without  even  an  attendant.  The 
chiefs  received  him  with  sullen  looks ;  but  they  lis 
tened  patiently  to  his  speech. 

"  The  course  you  are  pursuing,'5  said  he,  "  will  lead 


340  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

to  your  inevitable  and  total  destruction.  Yoi  r  tribe 
will  be  exterminated.  Your  Great  Father  has  thou 
sands  upon  thousands  of  soldiers.  He  can  easily  re 
place  those  who  fall  in  battle.  It  is  not  so  with  you. 
When  your  warriors  are  killed,  you  have  no  others  to 
place  in  their  moccasins.  You  must  wait  for  the 
children  to  grow  up. 

"  Your  Great  Father  loves  his  children.  He 
wishes  to  give  you  rich  presents.  I  am  his  servant  to 
bring  those  presents  to  you.  We  wish  to  live  in 
peace,  that  we  may  help  one  another." 

This  conciliatory  speech  softened  their  hearts  for 
a  time,  and  they  all,  with  seeming  cordiality,  came 
forward  and  professed  friendship.  The  great  diffi 
culty,  in  our  intercourse  with  the  Indians,  has  been 
that  the  wilderness  has  been  filled  with  miserable 
vagabonds,  who  were  ever  perpetrating  innumerable 
outrages,  robbing  them,  and  treating  them  in  all  re 
spects,  in  the  most  shameless  manner.  Even  civilized 
men,  in  war,  will  often  retaliate,  by  punishing  the 
innocent  for  the  crimes  of  the  guilty.  It  is  not 
strange  that  untutored  Indians,  having  received 
atrocious  wrongs  from  one  band  of  white  men, 
should  wreak  their  vengeance  on  the  next  band  whom 
they  chanced  to  encounter. 

•   Mr.  Carson,  in  addition  to  his  farm  at  Razada,  had 
what  may  be  called  his  city  residence  in  the  strag- 


THE   LAST   DAYS   OF   KIT   CARSON.  341 

gling  old  town  of  Taos.  It  is  said  that  a  traveller 
upon  entering  these  crooked  streets,  lined  with  one 
story  buildings  of  sun-baked  bricks,  is  reminded  of  a 
number  of  brick-kilns,  previous  to  being  burnt,  all 
huddled  together  without  any  regard  to  order.  As 
m  all  Spanish  towns,  there  is  a  large  public  square  in 
the  centre.  &WX(Xttit  LjtepT^ 

Mr.  Carson's  house  faced  this  square  on  the  west 
side.  Though  but  one  story  in  height,  it  spread  over 
a  large  extent  of  ground.  It  was  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  commodious  houses  in  the  place.  Every 
body  who  went  to  Taos,  Indians  as  well  as  white 
men,  felt  bound  to  call  upon  "  Father  Kit,"  as  he  was 
familiarly  called.  To  the  Indian,  particularly,  he 
was  ever  a  true  friend  and  benefactor.  He  knew,  as 
no  other  man  knew,  how  terrible  his  wrongs, — -not 
from  the  government, — but  from  the  vagabond  des 
peradoes  of  the  wilderness.  Never  was  his  patience 
exhausted  by  their  long  visits,  and  never  was  he 
weary  of  listening  to  their  harangues.  It  has  ever 
been  with  him  a  constant  effort  to  warn  them  against 
the  use  of  intoxicating  drink — that "  fire  water''  which 
has  so  long  been  consuming  the  Indian,  body  and 
soul. 

Whenever  the  government  had  any  important  or 
delicate  mission  to  preform  among  the  Indians,  the 
services  of  Mr.  Carson  were  sure  to  be  called  into 


342  CHRISTOPHER  CARSON. 

requisition.  Thus  he  entered  upon  the  evening  of 
his  days,  honored  and  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him. 
These  peaceful  hours  were  probably  the  happiest  of 
his  life.  We  have  no  detailed  account  of  his  last 
sickness  and  death.  He  breathed  his  last  at  Fort 
Lyon,  in  Colorado,  on  the  twenty-third  of  May,  1868, 
in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age.  The  immediate 
cause  of  his  death,  was  an  aneurism  of  an  artery  in 
the  neck.  Thus  passed  away  one  of  the  most  illus 
trious  of  the  "  Pioneers  and  Patriots  "  of  America. 
His  name  deserves  to  be  held  in  perpetual  remem 
brance. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 
The  Last  Hours  of  Kit  Carson. 

THE  following  letter,  received  since  the  publication  of  the  first  edition, 
gives  an  interesting  account  of  the  last  hours  of  Mr.  Carson  from 
the  physician  who  was  with  him  when  he  died. 

"  FORT  WADSWORTH,  ) 

NEW  YORK  HARBOR,  V 

January ',  >]th,  1874.  ) 

"MR.  JOHN  S.  C.  ABBOTT, 

FAIRHAVEN,  CONN. 

"Dear  Sir: — 

"I  have  just  read  your  interesting  life  of  Kit 
Carson,  and  write  to  give  you  a  short  account  of  his 
last  sickness  and  death.  I  first  met  him  at  the  house 
of  a  mutual  friend,  not  far  from  Fort  Lyon,  C.  T.,  late 
in  the  Fall  of  1867.  He  had  then  recently  left  the 
service  of  the  U.  S.,  having  been  colonel  of  a  regi 
ment  of  New-Mexican  volunteers  during  the  war  of 
the  rebellion. 

"  As  I  was  a  successful  amateur  trapper,  he  threw 
off  all  reserve,  and  greeted  me  with  more  than  usual 
warmth,  saying,  *  the  happiest  days  of  my  life  were 


344  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

spent  in  trapping.'     He  gave  me  many  practical  hints 
on  trapping  and  hunting. 

"  He  was  then  complaining  of  a  pain  in  his  chest, 
the  origin  of  which  he  attributed  to  a  fall  received  in 
1860.  It  happened  while  he  was  descending  a  moun 
tain.  The  declivity  was  so  steep  that  he  led  his 
horse  by  the  lariat,  intending,  if  the  horse  fell  to  throw 
it  from  him. 

"  The  horse  did  fall,  and  although  he  let  go  the 
lariat,  it  caught  him  and  carried  him  a  number  of 
feet,  and  severely  bruised  him. 

"  In  the  Spring  of  1868,  he  took  charge  of  a  party 
of  Ute  Indians,  and  accompanied  them  to  Washing 
ton  and  other  cities,  going  as  far  east  as  Boston. 
He  consulted  a  number  of  physicians  while  on  the 
trip. 

"  It  was  a  great  tax  on  his  failing  strength  to  make 
this  journey ;  but  he  was  ever  ready  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  the  Utes,  who  regarded  him  in  the  light  of 
a  father. 

"  I  saw  him  in  April,  1868.  His  disease,  aneurism 
of  the  aorta,  had  progressed  rapidly  ;  and  the  tumor 
pressing  on  the  pneumo-gastric  nerves  and  trachea, 
caused  frequent  spasms  of  the  bronchial  tubes  which 
were  exceedingly  distressing. 

"  On  the  2/th  of  April,  Mrs.  Carson  died  very 
suddenly,  leaving  seven  children,  the  youngest  only 


THE   LAST   PI  OURS   OF   KIT   CARSON.  345 

two  weeks  old.  Mrs.  Carson  was  tall  and  spare,  and 
had  evidently  been  a  very  handsome  woman  ;  she 
was  thirty-eight  years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death, 
and  he  informed  me  that  they  had  been  married 
twenty-five  years.  Her  sudden  death  had  a  very 
depressing  effect  upon  him. 

"  I  called  frequently  to  see  him  ;  and  as  he  was 
living  on  the  south  side  of  the  Arkansas  River  five 
miles  from  Fort  Lyon  where  I  was  stationed,  and  the 
Spring  rise  coming  on,  making  the  fording  difficult, 
I  suggested  that  he  be  brought  to  my  quarters,  which 
was  done  on  the  I4th  day  of  May. 

"  This  enabled  me  to  make  his  condition  much  more 
comfortable.  In  the  interval  of  his  paroxysms,  he 
beguiled  the  time  by  relating  past  experiences.  I 
read  Dr.  Peters'  book,  with  the  hero  for  my  auditor ; 
from  time  to  time,  he  would  comment  on  the  incidents 
of  his  eventful  life. 

"  It  was  wonderful  to  read  of  the  stirring  scenes, 
thrilling  deeds,  and  narrow  escapes,  and  then  look  at 
the  quiet,  modest,  retiring,  but  dignified  little  man 
who  had  done  so  much. 

"  You  are  perfectly  correct  in  describing  Carson  as 
a  gentleman.  He  was  one  of  nature's  noblemen— 
a  true  man  in  all  that  consitutes  manhood — pure — 
honorable — truthful — sincere — of  noble  impulses,  a 
true  knight-errant  ever  ready  to  defend  the  weak 


346  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

against  the  strong,  without  reward  other  than  his 
own  conscience. 

"  Carson  had  great  contempt  for  noisy  braggarts 
and  shams  of  every  sort. 

"  His  disease  rapidly  progressed  and  he  calmly  con 
templated  his  approaching  death.  Several  times  he 
repeated  the  remark,  '  If  it  was  not  for  this/  point 
ing  to  his  chest ; '  I  might  live  to  be  a  hundred  years 
old.' 

"  I  explained  to  him  the  probable  mode  of  termi 
nation  of  his  disease  :  *  that  he  might  die  from  suf 
focation  or  more  probably  the  aneurism  would  burst 
and  cause  death  by  hemorrhage.  He  expressed  a 
decided  preference  for  the  latter  mode.  His  attacks 
of  dyspnoea  were  horrible,  threatening  immediate  dis 
solution.  I  was  compelled  to  give  chloroform  to 
relieve  him,  at  considerable  risk  of  hastening  a  fatal 
result ;  but  he  begged  me  not  to  let  him  suffer  such 
tortures,  and  if  I  killed  him  by  chloroform  while  at 
tempting  relief,  it  would  be  much  better  than  death 
by  suffocation. 

"  Once,  he  remarked  :  '  What  am  I  to  do,  I  can't 
get  along  without  a  doctor?  ' 

"  I  replied,  '  I'll  take  care  of  you.' 

"  He,  smiling,  said,  'You  must  think  I  am  not  going 
to  live  long.' 

"The  night  preceding  death  he  spent  more  com- 


THE   LAST   HOURS   OF  KIT   CARSON.  347 

fortably  than  he  had  for  days  before.  He  was  obliged 
to  sit  up  nearly  all  the  time.  He  coughed  up  a  slight 
amount  of  blood  during  the  night,  and  a  very  little 
in  the  forenoon. 

"  In  the  afternoon,  while  I  was  lying  down  on  his 
bed  and  he  was  listening  to  Mr  Sherrick,  he  sud 
denly  called  out  '  Doctor,  Compadre,  Adios  ! ' 

"  I  sprang  to  him  and  seeing  a  gush  of  blood  pour 
ing  from  his  mouth,  remarked,  '  this  is  the  last  of  the 
general ; '  I  supported  his  forehead  on  my  hand,  while 
death  speedily  closed  the  scene. 

"  The  aneurism  had  ruptured  into  the  trachea 
Death  took  place  at  4.  25  P.  M.,  May  23rd  1868. 

Mr.  Carson  was  a  small  man  not  over  five  feet 
six  inches  tall,  with  gray  eyes,  light-brown  hair  tinged 
with  gray;  his  head  was  largej  forehead  high  and 
broad ;  his  nose  somewhat  retrousse.  He  had  a 
good  broad  chest  and  a  compact  form.  He  had  been 
a  remarkably  quick  active  man  and  what  he  lacked 
in  strength,  he  made  up  in  agility.  It  is  related  of 
him,  that  while  he  was  in  command  of  his  regiment 
and  on  a  campaign  against  the  Navajo  Indians,  he 
wou^d  leave  camp  very  early  each  morning,  taking  his 
Ute  Indian  'scouts,  and  let  his  lieutenant-colonel 
take  charge  of  the  regiment ;  before  the  command 
would  have  time  to  come  up  with  the  fugitive  enemy, 
Carson  and  his  Utes  had  finished  the  fighting. 


348  CHRISTOPHER   CARSON. 

"I  am  under  the  impression  that  the  Navajo  na 
tion,  numbering  8,000  or  10,000  people  were  so  severe 
ly  pressed  by  Kit  Carson,  that  they  surrendered  to 
him,  and  were  put  on  a  government  reservation, 
where  they  remained  under  miflitary  control,  for 
several  years.  Within  the  last  three  years  they  have 
been  permitted  to  return  to  the  country  formerly  oc 
cupied  by  them  ;  but  I  am  not  positive  of  the  above. 

"  Carson  was  made  a  brigadier-general  of  volun 
teers  by  brevet,  at  the  close  of  the  rebellion. 

"  Shortly  after  coming  to  my  quarters  he  made 
his  will,  and  left  property  to  the  value  of  seven  thou 
sand  dollars  to  his  children. 

"  No  post-mortem  was  made.  The  pulse  at  the 
right  radial  artery  was  very  indistinct,  while  the  left 
continued  good. 

"  I  have  been  thus  minute,  thinking  that  while 
writing  his  life,  you  had  grown  to  love  him,  as  all 
who  knew  him  certainly  cherished  great  affection  for 

him. 

"Yours  Truly, 

"H.  R.  TlLTON, 
"Ass't  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army? 

THE   END. 


f  A  M  0  n  1 A 


